Welcoming a child into the world, and into your family, is a special occasion and a milestone that deserves to be celebrated! Humanist naming ceremonies are thoughtful, unique, and a great way to do just that. You can make them incredibly personal as well, and can include readings, music, stories, and any symbolic gestures you may want.

You might want to include guide-parents or guardians, and have them speak promises to your child. You may also want to make your own promises as the parent or parents. Whatever you want your naming day to be, I am here to support you in putting together the perfect ceremony for you and your family.

If you would like to celebrate your baby’s arrival with a special occasion but don’t want a religious ceremony, then a humanist naming is the answer and I will help you create an occasion which is memorable and meaningful to you.

A typical naming ceremony will have a welcome and introduction; parental promises to their child; the appointment of guide/godparents and the naming itself. Readings, poems, music and speeches can be added, and perhaps a symbolic action such as lighting a candle, putting gifts in a time capsule, or writing in a wish book.

Of course there’s no need to limit naming ceremonies to the babies. I also love to plan adoption ceremonies, ceremonies to mark the blending of families, and also ceremonies to celebrate name changes or gender transition.

I can either lead the whole ceremony, or act as an anchor to introduce different contributions, or something in between.

A naming ceremony can be as formal or informal as you like, at a time and place of your choosing – at home, in the garden, in a park or hired space.

Give me a call and let’s chat through your ideas.

My services include:

• An initial ‘get to know you’ chat.
• A first planning meeting to discuss what you want for your ceremony (in person)
• A family questionnaire to help me write the perfect ceremony for you.
• Sending a draft of the ceremony for your comments and any changes.
• Telephone and email support before the ceremony, including a check-in the day before.
• Delivering the ceremony with warmth and professionalism.
• A keepsake copy of the ceremony and a Humanists UK naming certificate.

My fee for all the above is £250.

If you would like to know more or to discuss planning a ceremony, please contact me on 07864 656 303 or via email amanda.kinnear@humanistceremonies.org.uk