Your story is our story

Welcome to Humanist Ceremonies

Major life events deserve memorable and meaningful ceremonies. And they need to be special, so we shape them for and with the people and families involved. Humanist Ceremonies bring human values to life.

Wedding ceremonies
& vow renewals

Funeral ceremonies
& life ceremonies

Naming & welcome ceremonies

Humanist naming ceremony

Find a celebrant

Becoming a celebrant

Naming celebrant Dawn Rees by ETT Photography

About our celebrants

Our non-religious ceremonies are warm, welcoming, and inclusive. Because we are all human. And we all have stories. Our ceremonies represent something essential and timeless – the shared values and narratives that connect us all.

Our network of trained and accredited non-religious celebrants has been trusted with marking life’s most significant moments with authenticity and care since 1896.

We’re part of Humanists UK, a registered charity bringing non-religious people together to be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have and work together for a more tolerant, better society.

Humanist Ceremonies give people the opportunity to make thoughtful, positive choices about life’s most significant moments and experience how their personal stories reflect timeless human values.

Your story is our story

Your stories

Explore real stories of how Humanist Ceremonies bring together personal narratives and enduring human values to create meaningful and memorable ceremonies.

Wedding stories

A cross-cultural humanist wedding: Mercedes and Nurkanat’s story

City girl Mercedes is from Atlanta in the USA. Her husband Nurkanat is from rural Kyrgyzstan. They met in the UK and – with help from their humanist celebrant Roxy…

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Tips for planning a romantic humanist wedding

Choosing a humanist ceremony means that you can add unique and personal touches to your wedding, so that your special day is as full of romance as you would like!…

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Tips for an affordable wedding ceremony

There are many decisions to be made when planning a wedding, from location to wedding venue to the size of the event. Each of these choices will have an impact…

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Funeral stories

I planned my own humanist funeral so that I could get on with living life to the fullest

Suzy is in her 70s, healthy, with a full and active life that she loves. So what made her decide to plan her own funeral? And how has a humanist…

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Thinking ahead: how to start organising and planning for death

The subject of death and dying is still a taboo topic often shrouded in awkwardness and uncertainty. But having the difficult conversations and becoming more organised for your death in…

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Our Celebrant Network: Meet Blue Ryan – Funeral Celebrant

Blue Ryan is a documentary filmmaker and a humanist funeral celebrant based in London, who believes in the power of telling stories. She tells us about what her two roles…

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Naming Ceremony stories

A humanist naming ceremony for two brothers

Alastair and Kat wanted a humanist naming ceremony for their two boys, but there were times when it seemed like this would be impossible. Cancelled first due to Covid and…

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5 Tips for planning a naming ceremony in spring

A humanist naming ceremony is a joyful non-religious event which welcomes and celebrates a child joining your family. This is a momentous life occasion, you and your child deserve a…

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Our humanist naming day: Kirsty and David welcomed their daughter to the world after their IVF Journey

Kirsty and David chose a humanist naming ceremony, packed with personal touches, to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Jessica. Their road to parenthood wasn’t easy, especially as David’s beloved…

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Photos:
Handfasting in banner: Gareth Joseph
Wedding ceremonies and vow renewals: Luis Holden Photography