Humanism is a philosophy of living that respects and values human life. As humanists, we take responsibility for our own lives and for our own actions. We believe that we should work towards creating a society where people live ethically and responsibly, without recourse to religious or superstitious beliefs.

Weddings, Affirmations and Baby Namings

More and more people across the UK are seeking humanist ceremonies to mark the important moments in their lives. These include not only funerals, memorials, weddings and baby namings, but also other individual and personal ceremonies, like anniversaries and adoption ceremonies. Humanist ceremonies are available across the country through a network of celebrants, who, like me, are trained and accredited by the British Humanist Association.

About me

I am a Hove-based celebrant who has been a humanist for many years - originally, without even realising it! I decided to become a celebrant after experiencing the humanist funeral of my mother, and later, attending a friend's humanist wedding ceremony. Being a celebrant combines my personal beliefs as a humanist, and a career which involves speaking at conferences and events around the world. I have written books, reports and magazine articles, so I have  had a lot of practice as a writer - excellent background for preparing the script for your ceremony! I am also CRB checked. To find out more about me, click here:

http://ictandclimatechange.com/page3.htm

About your ceremony

Humanist ceremonies are tailored and personalised. The ceremony which I write and deliver for you will reflect your personalities and your wishes. Your ceremony can include recorded or live music, poems or prose, which can be read or performed by family and friends. Or I can suggest readings and music, and I will read them if you wish. You may choose to include a symbolic exchange of gifts. It really is up to you!

It's your choice

Whether you are considering a wedding, an affirmation or a naming, your humanist ceremony can take place wherever you choose, except, of course, at a religious building or site. You might wish to have a ceremony at home, in the garden, in a school or college, in the back room of a pub, or in a building hired for the occasion - I have performed ceremonies in a living room in Brighton and in a mansion on the edge of Brighton, a private garden deep in the countryside, a village hall in Sussex, a Georgian mansion in London's Belgravia, a field on a Surrey farm, and in the garden of a Normandy chateau. The ceremony can be as formal or as informal as you wish: the choice is limited only by your imagination and by what is practical.

Testimonials: Namings

"Thank you so much for the lovely ceremony for (baby's) naming party. We had such a good day, and the 'formal' part of the day made it very special, so thank you for that." A & D, West Sussex

"Many thanks for Saturday (baby naming), and in particular your professional attention to detail of preparation and communication with us, that resulted in everything running  smoothly and as planned.....The balance of structure, meaning, and informality was just what we wanted, and we hope everyone will remember the day for its happiness." Mr B, Brighton 

"We've had lots of calls and notes to say how much people enjoyed the (naming) ceremony. Everyone felt it was very personal and just right for the occasion." Mrs B, Redhill

"thank you for the beautiful ceremony....So many people have said how lovely (and emotional!) it was.  It has really marked (baby's) coming in to the world and her first year." Mrs W, Brighton 

Testimonials: Weddings

"...we had a lovely time on Saturday, the whole thing was very special. Thank you for helping make it very memorable for us." A & D, Sydney

"We were very pleased indeed, and everyone said what a great ceremony! It wouldn't have been anywhere near as wonderful without you - so glad we found you....it was a perfect day." (Kirstie & Mark, www.shabdenparkfarm.com )

"We had a really wonderful wedding day and would like to thank you for your lovely service. All our guests thought it was really lovely and different."  J & A

 "Thank you for a lovely ceremony, we had such positive feedback from all our friends and family who said it was really touching and meaningful." Mrs C, London

*for a naming in Brighton or Hove: £250. Fee covers:

- a planning meeting 
- preparing the script for use on the day
- my role as your celebrant on the day

Fees for other ceremonies (e.g further afield, or overseas) are negotiated.

For further information about humanism, please click on the BHA website: http://www.humanism.org.uk/

Next steps

After the inital email or phone call, we will meet - to make sure that we all get on, and that you are happy for me to be your celebrant on such an important occasion: it's really important that you are comfortable with the personal chemistry between us. This is the "planning meeting" described above, and takes place before we have any kind of commercial arrangement (ie, before any money changes hands!). At the end of the meeting, you will get a contract and the chance to reflect for a few days on whether you would like me to be your celebrant. If the answer is yes, you sign and return the contract, along with a deposit towards the final cost. Then we start working on the script....

To start the ball rolling, you can send me an e-mail on:

ceremonies@stephenyoung.org.uk

Or call me for free (with most BT & TalkTalk packages) on:

0845 094 5581

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