Life's Events
People want to celebrate Rites of Passage and for the majority of us in this country to whom religion is irrelevant, the British Humanist Association offers unique ceremonies to mark the birth of a baby, a marriage, an affirmation, civil partnership, or a dignified, personal and loving funeral.
The British Humanist Association has a national network of men and women who are trained and accredited to conduct Humanist ceremonies. There is monitoring and supervision so you can be sure that a BHA celebrant will be dedicated to providing a quality service. Those that I know go to considerable lengths to ensure that the words they say meet the needs of the people concerned. There are no prayers or hymns, of course, but a ceremony to welcome and name a new child can do exactly that, drawing on the feelings of the family and putting them into words with appropriate music and perhaps poetry too. In the same way a funeral can be a celebration of a person's life as well as an opportunity to remember, to be thankful for their past company, and to say a final farewell.
At the beginning: Namings
A Humanist Naming Ceremony is the perfect way to celebrate the birth of your baby or to welcome an adopted child or step-child into the family. A Humanist celebrant is open and easy to talk to, and each ceremony, as formal or informal as you want, is individually created to meet your needs and wishes. You can state your commitment to your child's future, speak of your love and your hopes, and perhaps choose one or two friends or relatives to be your child's 'guide-parents, 'mentors' or 'special friends'. It can be a great comfort to know that there are people outside your family circle who know your child well and who will be especially close to them as they grow up. Also, the copy of the ceremony that will be given to you afterwards, expressing the love that surrounds your child, can be a great support for them when they reach their teens.
Stages on the way: Weddings and Partnerships
BHA celebrants are also available to preside at weddings and civil partnerships. After spending a few minutes with the local registrar, the wedding can be celebrated anywhere, and can be as formal or as informal as the couple want, perhaps using words they have written themselves to express the sentiments that they feel, while drawing on the experience of the celebrant to make the day as happy and memorable an occasion as possible.
At the end: Funerals
At the end of life, a Humanist officiant can help you, and others closely affected by the death, arrange a non-religious and personal ceremony to remember, honour and celebrate the life of the person who has died, whatever their age and whatever the circumstances. You need not be concerned that anything in the ceremony might offend anyone with religious beliefs, usually a quiet time for reflection is included when the celebrant will invite people to say a silent farewell in their own way. Humanist officiants do not moralise or judge, they understand. For the immediate family and close friends, it is a great comfort to have provided a ceremony such as the person who had died would have wanted. If they wish, members of the family or close friends can participate with a reading, a poem or perhaps with their own tribute. Music can speak directly to the emotions and can be a poignant way of reflecting the personality of the one who has died. People often say after a Humanist funeral, how moving, sincere and fitting they have found it.
Where the wishes of the deceased are not known, uncertainty, confusion and even conflict can result, and research has shown that 'adverse funeral events' can impair the ability of bereaved people to adjust to their loss. Conversely, a funeral carried out in accordance with the wishes of the deceased can be a great source of comfort. Ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are known is best achieved though the completion of a funeral directive that has been considered in advance. If you would like to discuss the arrangements for your own funeral, an accredited officiant can help and advise you.
Making Arrangements
You can find a BHA accredited celebrant or officiant through the BHA web site or the NSHS can put you in touch with one locally.
Further information: Click here to email or telephone 01933 381782
