A Humanist Naming Ceremony is an occasion that gives parents the opportunity to mark the significance of a new life in their family, formally welcome them and celebrate with wider family and friends. You don’t have to be a Humanist to have a Humanist Ceremony; they simply offer a meaningful, very personal, non religious way to acknowledge with love a new member of their family group.

Usually, there are people of all ages present, from very young children to grandparents and sometimes great grandparents. It should be an occasion full of joy; there can be solemn and serious parts of the ceremony as well as fun and laughter.

These ceremonies are not just for babies. They are often held as part of a celebration for a child’s first birthday. They can be for groups of siblings or an older adopted child.

We all know that young children tend to be unpredictable and it would be unusual for youngsters to sit completely still, silently listening to every word; I’m a child-friendly kind of person and am not fazed by the randomness of toddlers!