Buchanan, Kate

Initially I trained as an English teacher but quickly realised I enjoyed working with and engaging young people who were seen as 'difficult'. I worked in specialist schools and retrained as a social worker, specialising in Child Protection and then latterly in Fostering and Adoption work. 

Having 4 children myself, one of whom has autism, took me into the home full time and into being a celebrant part time!

Humanism for me means that at last I can give voice to what I do believe rather than what I don't: namely that all people matter and deserve respect and love, whatever path in life they have ended up on. For me being a celebrant means exactly what it says: that I can help others celebrate being human.

I am part of the Highlands, Islands and Moray team of nine celebrants and we co-ordinate our work. If I am not available then I will put you in touch with my nearest colleague. However here's a list of them should you want to get in touch yourself.. we all travel, but need to charge expenses.

 

Dagmar, Orkney

Penelope, Dornoch

Jackie, Evanton 

Mairi, Beauly 

Alan, Muir of Ord

Sylvia, Inverness and Regional Co-ordinator

George, Fochabers

Janet, Aberlour

 

All of us have value and have touched other people's lives and a celebration of that gives dignity to all life no matter how short and no matter how it has been spent.

My approach to funerals is to listen to families and to help them find words to express themselves and their loss.

What I find most rewarding about conducting funerals is meeting people and helping them through a hard time. I will never forget being hugged hard by a bereaved daughter who told me my visit was the best two hours she had had since her parent died.

My advice is to let the funeral director and celebrant guide you, they are there to help.

My favourite piece of funeral poetry is "So many different lengths of time" as it is so comforting and yet gives a voice to deep grief. Whenever I read it I hear the voice of my colleague and friend, Dagmar, who says it so beatifully.

My favourite piece of funeral music has to be Precious Time by Van Morrison.

I have 4 children and felt the absence of celebration when I did not have the christening ceremony many of my friends had.

I love naming ceremonies, and think they are great fun.

My approach to namings is to convey the enormous joy and hope a new life brings and to make sure everyone has a great time, including any guests with little ones.

I would love to do a naming ceremony for an adopted child as this is very close to my heart. 

What I love most about conducting namings is that nearly everyone cries... especially dads!

My advice to you is to make sure you choose a nice venue with plenty space.

My favourite piece of music for namings is The Bear Necessities  from the Jungle Book and I was once at a naming where we watched a Pixar cartoon!

I wish that the law would change so that I could do the full thing!

However until then my approach would be to listen to the couple and ensure they had the kind of ceremony they wanted, traditional or more radical!

 I have not yet been asked to do an affirmation ceremony but I look forward to my first... who knows.. it could be you?

I love weddings! I had no idea when I did my training how very moving I would find symbolic gestures especially band warming and handfasting. Neither did I realise how profound the moment of declaration would be for me as well as the couple.

My approach to weddings is to ensure that the couple get the day they really want whilst at the same time advising them how to ensure that all their guests are involved .. even the dubious ones or the restless little ones.

I love when people express their surprise at my good suit, as they were expecting a hippy in flowing rainbow robes (though I'd consider a special request!)

I have lots of wedding poetry I enjoy but my favourite is a very simple little piece from a film by Tim Burton which ends "with this candle I will light your way in darkness, with this ring I ask you to be mine"

Its always lovely if one of the guests can sing or play.. that can be very special. But do make sure they haven't been at the best man's hip flask.

I'd love to do a beach wedding as we have some fantastic sands on the North coast, but really the venue does not matter much, its the folk that are with you that count!