Hello. I'm Rosemary Taylorson, a trained and accredited British Humanist Association (BHA) celebrant. I conduct non religious ceremonies within reach of the South West London area and into parts of Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire, for those who have chosen to live without religion.
Baby naming, child welcoming & family affirmation ceremonies
More and more people are choosing a secular
ceremony to welcome babies and children into their midst, or to celebrate their older children and family, and to declare their commitment and love in front of their family and friends.
Contact me to find out about arranging a unique personalised ceremony to welcome your baby or child, adopted or stepchild, into your family and into the human community.
'We appreciated how well you balanced the ceremony between seriousness
and fun. We found it very moving and I know that others did too.'
Wedding, civil partnership or renewal of vows ceremonies
The ritual and words of a religious wedding service may not fit with your outlook on life.
You may feel that the laws governing a Register Office ceremony that control what is said and done, and where a wedding can be held, are too restrictive.
If you would like to plan your own unique ceremony that is dignified and deeply personal, then contact me to discuss a humanist wedding that is tailor made for you.
'We have lots
and lots of happy memories, and you helped to make them...!'
Funerals & Memorials: ceremonies to celebrate a life
If your loved-one was not religious, you will find a humanist funeral ceremony both personal and dignified. The ceremony focuses on the life of the person who has died, celebrating their achievements and character, with music, tributes and readings.
Nothing in the ceremony will offend those who are religious, and people of all persuasions often comment on how uplifted they feel.
‘We think you did an outstanding
job, and would recommend your services to everyone.’
‘Your compassion and empathy was
palpable’
Why choose a Humanist ceremony?
You do not have to be a 'humanist' to use a humanist celebrant, but simply prefer a non-religious ceremony. You need not be concerned that humanism itself will be stressed in any of the ceremonies.
Most
of us want to mark important transitions in our lives, sharing these
milestone occasions with family and friends. People with religious
beliefs will normally want a minister or leader to conduct their
ceremonies, but for those for whom religion is less important, a
humanist ceremony, which uniquely and affectionately welcomes or
honours a life, or celebrates the union of a couple, is likely to have
more warmth and meaning. Although humanism itself is not usually outlined or stressed, by focussing on people and celebrating their lives, it underpins each ceremony.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) trains, accredits, insures and supports a national network of
celebrants to conduct naming, wedding and funeral ceremonies for those
looking for a non-religious alternative. With some 300 celebrants, the BHA is the largest and longest-established organisation offering non-religious and humanist ceremonies by trained celebrants in the UK.
Whatever the circumstance, a
humanist celebrant is not there to preach, moralise or judge - but to
understand. Together with you, we can plan a personal ceremony and
conduct it for you on the day.
'[My] Spanish contingent were astonished that without the religious element they were so moved by the ceremony.'
What is Humanism?
Humanism is a positive ethical stance, not just an atheistic or agnostic one, believing in the innate goodness of humans and their capacity to live good lives without religion. Humanists care deeply about moral issues but from a non-religious standpoint.
Humanists accept that our present life is our only
life, not just preparation for life after death. They believe that, in this one
life, we have to make meaning and purpose for ourselves. Humanists are positive,
gaining inspiration and meaning from our lives and experiences, from art and culture, and from a
rich natural world.
'At our
reception I heard at least six people say that was the sort of service
they would want to have'
'I really enjoyed that. I didn't know you could have a ceremony like this.'
By Antoine de St. Exupéry
In a
house which becomes a home,
one
will pass down and another take up
the
heritage of mind and heart,
of laughter
and tears, deeds and reflections.
Love,
like a well loaded ship,
crosses
the gulf between the generations.
Therefore
we do not neglect
the
ceremonies of our passage:
when
we wed, when we die,
when
we are blessed with a child,
It is
not by things that we live,
but
by the meanings of things.
So we
need to transmit the passwords
from
generation to generation.
