Humanist Celebrant
I became a humanist celebrant in 2007 after I discovered from my own experience, that there is a need for non-religious ceremonies that give meaning to key life events and reflect people’s individuality and personal values.
My Daughters’ Naming Ceremony…
My journey began with my own daughters’ naming ceremony. We wanted to celebrate the arrival of our daughters but felt a christening wasn’t appropriate. After attending a friend’s naming ceremony we decided that we would like to hold a similar celebration for our family.
Our daughters’ naming celebration was very special. I designed a personal ceremony that involved many of our close family and friends. It received wonderful feedback and is a day that we will always remember!
My Father’s Funeral…
The following year I lost my father. He didn’t have any religious beliefs but left no specific wishes for his funeral. At the time we were not aware of the options available. Therefore, we arranged to have a simple funeral ceremony conducted at the crematorium.
I took part in his ceremony as I felt it was important to speak about the special person he was and to remember the happy times that we had shared as a family.
As a result of these experiences, I was motivated to train to become a humanist celebrant. I began conducting Wedding and Naming Ceremonies in 2007, followed by funerals two years later.
My Brother’s Wedding…
It was very special to be involved in another family occasion in the summer of 2011 when I conducted a Wedding Ceremony for my brother, Mark, and his wife, Mathy. They celebrated their marriage with an intimate gathering of family and friends. It was wonderful to play such an important role in their day!
Becoming a Humanist Celebrant…
Over the last 12 years, I have conducted a wide range of ceremonies in many different settings. What I particularly like about my role as a humanist celebrant is meeting new people and finding out what is important to them in their lives.
I have discovered a love of writing and telling people’s stories, whether talking about how a couple first met, what a baby has brought into a family’s life or remembering special times spent with a loved one. It is a privilege to be involved in people’s lives at such an important time.
I look forward to hearing from you Debra