Humanist Ceremonies & Celebrants

Humanist ceremonies and celebrations have been developed in response to a real need for good non-religious rituals to mark the significant turning points in life. More people recognise that religion is not for them and feel uncomfortable, even hypocritical having a religious ceremony. They recognise that life without religion does not mean a life without morality. They want a ceremony that is distinctive, personal and significant, specifically devised for them. People who lead such ceremonies and celebrations are known as Humanist Celebrants or Humanist Officiants. The British Humanist Association provides training and accreditation of celebrants and officiants. Milton Keynes Humanists endorse and recommend these. A list of accredited local celebrants and officiants (taken from the British Humanist Association website) is set out below. For further information about fees etc. visit the British Humanist Association website or contact one of the listed celebrants or officiants. Non-accredited / independent humanist celebrants and officiants in the area may offer similar services, but these are not endorsed or recommended by the British Humanist Association or by Milton Keynes Humanists.

Baby Naming Fewer people today choose to have their baby christened and many seek a more inclusive way of marking this happy event. The BHA has years of experience in preparing inclusive ceremonies, so that all those who attend can relate to what is said, whether they are religious or not. Most parents choose to hold the ceremony at the start of a celebratory party, either in their home or at a special venue. Parents may state their love for a and commitment to their child, and their hopes for their future welfare and happiness. They may include poetry or prose readings and music. Instead of godparents, people choose relatives or friends to become 'guide parents', 'supporting adults', 'mentors' or 'special friends', who can join the ceremony, saying how they will be there for the child as he or she grows up.

Humanist Weddings & Affirmations A humanist wedding or affirmation can take place anywhere and be designed to suit the individuals. It may be as dignified and serious as a church wedding, but with the religious element replaced by words and music that have real meaning for the couple. They can be as romantic and creative in designing their ceremony as they wish. Humanist ceremonies have been held in gardens, marquees, on boats, in castles, on beaches. Couples with children can make them a part of the ceremony. No two celebrations are the same -- they can be as traditional or as unusual as suits the people marrying. Humanist Funerals There are a growing number of people for whom religion is unimportant, or who have made a clear decision to live their live without it. For them and their families a religious funeral service seems insincere and brings little comfort. It does not feel the right way to say farewell to someone who sis not have a religious view of life and death. The BHA offers personal and dignified funeral ceremonies for those who have chosen to live without religion. A humanist ceremony will have more warmth and meaning for them.

Local celebrants and officiants This list is extracted from the British Humanist Association website.

Baby Naming

Valerie Lefrere

Email: lefrere@mac.com Phone: 01908 605164 Areas covered: MK, LU, NN, AL5, OX6 Willing to travel abroad

Alison Redcastle

Email: alisonredcastle@btopenworld.com Phone: 01727 854335 Areas covered: AL, SG, WD, UB, N, NW, W, CM, EN, HA, HP, LU, MK

Howard Palmer

Email howard.palmer@tinyworld.co.uk Phone: 01582 832702 Mobile: 07817 293767 Areas covered: AL, EN, HA, HP, LU, MK, SG, WD

Ros Curtis

Email ros.curtis@virgin.net Phone 01494562984 Mobile 07923450825 Areas covered HP, SL, OX, RG, WD, AL, UB, HA, LU, MK, Further information May work abroad

Pam Burn

Email the.burns@ntlworld.com Phone 01462677858 Mobile 07788671133 Areas covered SG, AL, MK, LU, Further information May work abroad

Elaine Lever

Email levere9938@aol.com Phone 01908265866 Areas covered OX, MK, NN

Humanist Weddings & Affirmations

Elaine Lever

Email levere9938@aol.com Phone 01908265866 Areas covered OX, MK, NN

Ingrid Tapp

Email ingrid@matttapp.com Phone 01480435757 Mobile 07749457902 Areas covered PE, CB, NN, MK, SG8, SG18, LE14, LE16

Pam Burn

Email the.burns@ntlworld.com Phone 01462677858 Mobile 07788671133 Areas covered SG, AL, MK, LU, Further information May work abroad

Howard Palmer

Email howard.palmer@tinyworld.co.uk Phone 01582832702 Mobile 07817293767 Areas covered AL, EN, HA, HP, LU, MK, SG, WD

Ros Curtis

Email ros.curtis@virgin.net Phone 01494562984 Mobile 07923450825 Areas covered HP, SL, OX, RG, WD, AL, UB, HA, LU, MK, Further information May work abroad

Kerry Chisholm

Email kerryanncb@hotmail.com Mobile 07736044730 Areas covered NN, LE, PE, MK, CV, OX Further information May travel abroad

Valerie Lefrere

Email lefrere@mac.com Phone 01908605164 Areas covered MK, LU, NN, AL5, OX6 Further information Willing to travel abroad

Humanist Funerals

Charles Oliver

Email oliver_ch04@yahoo.co.uk Phone 01604831001 Mobile 07881978683 Areas covered NN, OX, MK, CV, LE Further information May travel abroad

Alison Redcastle

Email alisonredcastle@btopenworld.com Phone 01727854335 Areas covered AL, SG, WD, UB, N, NW, W, CM, EN, HA, HP, LU, MK

Pam Burn

Email the.burns@ntlworld.com Phone 01462677858 Mobile 07788671133 Areas covered SG, AL, MK, LU, Further information May work abroad

Geoffrey Morris

Email geoffmorris1@btinternet.com Phone 01487831287 Mobile 07941574326 Areas covered PE,CB,NN,NR,MK,LU,IP,SG,LE,CM,CO,CV

Howard Palmer

Email howard.palmer@tinyworld.co.uk Phone 01582832702 Mobile 07817293767 Areas covered AL, EN, HA, HP, LU, MK, SG, WD

Ingrid Tapp

Email ingrid@matttapp.com Phone 01480435757 Mobile 07749457902 Areas covered PE, CB, NN, MK, SG8, SG18, LE14, LE16

David Brittain

Email davidbrittain13@hotmail.com Website http://www.northhertsandbedshumanists.org.uk Phone 01767260181 Mobile 07759472502 Areas covered CB3, CB22, CB24, SG1-2, SG4-9, SG13-19, MK40-45, PE19, PE28-29 Further information May work abroad

Ros Curtis

Email ros.curtis@virgin.net Phone 01494562984 Mobile 07923450825 Areas covered HP, SL, OX, RG, WD, AL, UB, HA, LU, MK, Further information May work abroad

Elaine Lever

Email levere9938@aol.com Phone 01908265866 Areas covered OX, MK, NN