Naming and Renaming Ceremonies
Naming ceremonies have been an important rite of passage in different cultures and faiths for centuries. A modern, celebrant led ceremony provides an alternative setting to a place of worship but is no less heartfelt. A naming ceremony celebrates the arrival of your child and tells the story of how they came to be named. Importantly, the ceremony joyfully presents your child to family, friends and community.
Naming ceremonies often acknowledge people with a special role in the child’s life. These people may be parents, siblings, grandparents and, if you choose them, guide-parents. Guide-parents are trusted adults who vow to be an important part of the child’s life to adulthood.
A Naming Ceremony
I have worked with families from many different cultures and communities. I will not assume how you want to approach to your ceremony. Instead, I will find out what works for you. After getting to know you we can choose the ceremony structure, music and content that hold most meaning for you. Together we can create a joyful ceremony as unique as your family.
A Renaming Ceremony
Our name represents our identity and how we are known by the world. A renaming ceremony as part of a bigger transition process, is therefore a significant event. You may want your renaming ceremony to mark a significant milestone in that process or indeed because you are at the pinnacle of your journey into your true identity.
Renaming as part of a gender affirmation ceremony celebrates your gender transition and allows the people that matter most to you to bear witness to the person you are. A gender affirmation ceremony is a deeply personalised and bespoke event. I won’t make any assumptions about what you need. Whatever stage you are at we can craft a responsive ceremony that presents you as you need to be seen by others. You may want a large, loud and proud event or conversely, something small, subtle and intimate. By focusing on how you want to connect with your network of support in the ceremony, we will find the approach that works for you.
The transition from one identity to another is certainly worthy of a ceremony. An adult may have a re-naming ceremony for various reasons, such as a name change following divorce. If you are renaming and want to celebrate this in ceremony, I would be delighted for you to contact me. You may be sure I will honour your unique milestone with the significance it deserves and collaborate with you to get the ceremony tone and content just right.
Price and Package
It would be my honour to create a bespoke naming or renaming ceremony with you. I will collaborate with you on each element of the script ensuring you have a completely personalised experience. The level of input and direction you will have can add to you feeling completely at ease as you welcome a new life / lease of life.
This package from £275 includes:
Up to two planning meetings with you before the ceremony (face to face or online)
A bespoke ceremony script, including personalised readings
Communication throughout the process by telephone, email or WhatsApp
Revisions and changes whilst preparing the script
Attendance at and delivery of the ceremony
Travel within thirty miles of South Shields. If further, travel costs are changed at 45 pence per mile. Additional transport required (boat, train, plane, etc) will be charged accordingly.
Optional commemorative naming certificate and presentation script.
Additional Charges: Some symbolic rituals such as a sand ceremony, may incur additional charges. This will depend on the overall amount of time required to plan and deliver the ceremony. We can discuss this as we collaborate.