The birth of a baby is a very special event and bringing up a child is one of the most important undertakings we ever have. Many parents choose to acknowledge and celebrate this and Humanist naming or welcoming ceremonies are increasingly being chosen as a secular alternative to a traditional christening.
 
The ceremony can be as formal or informal as desired and can be held in any venue from a Castle to the parent's own living room! In addition to making their own pledges and promises to their child (or children), many parents also choose to ask other supporting adults to act as guide-parents (the non-religious equivalent of god parents).
 
We can advise on every aspect of the ceremony (including music, readings and symbolic gestures) and meet with the parents to plan a uniquely personal celebration to welcome and formally name their baby. Involving the whole family is important and for many parents, the ceremony becomes not just a naming or welcoming ceremony, but a family celebration day!

 

 

 

 

That word is "humanist," writes Julian Baggini in The Herald

 

Scotland is one of only six countries in the world where Humanist marriage ceremonies are legal (the others are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and certain states of the USA).  Humanist weddings have the same legal status as civil and religious weddings as long as they are conducted by an HSS Celebrant, who has been authorised by the Registrar General of Scotland, and can take place anywhere 'safe and dignified'.

 

Couples are effectively free to marry wherever they choose and HSS wedding ceremonies have taken place on beaches and mountains, in keeps and castles, grand hotels and the gardens of people's own homes.

 

Each Humanist wedding ceremony is unique, dignified and deeply personal. Humanists look on marriage as an equal partnership and a serious commitment that involves mutual love, support and respect and a humanist ceremony is a time when couples can declare all that they feel for each other in a way that feels right for them.

 

The couple is free to make all the important choices about location, readings, music and the wording of their promises to each other.

 

Same sex couples often choose to celebrate their commitment by having a Humanist Partnership ceremony, though these are not yet legally recognised.

"Don't you just hate it when a funeral seems to be all God and Jesus and sod all about your good pal? The Humanist Society of Scotland provide people just for this purpose. Called celebrants, they'll whoop up the deceased's life, not mourn it. That's for me," writes Reg McKay in The Daily Record.

 

Humanists accept death as part of the natural order and our funeral ceremonies celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. A humanist celebrant will spend time with the bereaved family gathering information on the life and personality of the deceased before writing a tribute to the life that was lived. This will be the centrepiece of the ceremony at which family and friends are invited and encouraged to read personal tributes or choose other readings and music.

Humanist celebrants are aware that amongst those attending the funeral there may be people of faith and although prayers are not said, they will usually include a brief period when people can reflect or pray silently if they want to.