Celebrations of Life

Secular Ceremonies for the 21st Century^©

Welcome Ceremony

COMMENCEMENT

Music: “Teach Your Children” (Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young)

INTRODUCTION
Special person (usually a child) rings bell.

Margaret: Thank you, (bell ringer’s name). (bell ringer’s name) will be ringing the ceremonial bell during this ceremony. The bell will signify the beginning and end of the ceremony as well as the special segments throughout.

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Margaret Downey. I am a Secular Humanist Celebrant here on behalf of (mother’s name) and (father’s name). It is a pleasure to welcome you this afternoon to celebrate and honor their beautiful daughter, (child’s name), on this day — the occasion of (her/his) Naming and Welcoming Ceremony.

During this ceremony we will affirm that the gift of life is a wonderful gift indeed and we will express our desire that (child’s name) grow to achieve all of life's greatest ideals.

Today, together with (mother’s name) and (father’s name), we commit ourselves to (child’s name) and rejoice in the fact that (mother’s name) and (father’s name) have invited us to share with them the best part of their life —their (son/daughter), (child’s name).

We shall promise to respect (child’s name) and afford (him/her) every right that each of us deserves, including the right to live a life of freedom, happiness, and love, with the support and honest conversation that (he/she) will seek and the nourishment of mind and body that (he/she) will need.

Today’s celebration is evidence that (child’s name) will always be sustained by loving parenting and guided by family and friends to become (his/her) best possible self.

In a testimony to their parenthood, (mother’s name) and (father’s name) will share their sentiments.

(mother’s name) and (father’s name) speak:

(child’s name), may you have joy in listening and joy in speaking; (taking turns)
May you have joy in seeing and joy in doing;
May you have joy in thinking and joy in wondering.
May your hours be forever bright in play and in work.
May your days be forever warm with happiness and fulfillment.
And may your life always be touched by true friends and devoted family.

THE NAMING

Margaret: (mother’s name) and (father’s name) speak with joy about the love and pride they feel in being parents to (child’s name). The sparkle in their eyes conveys their deepest happiness. Their happiness is also shared with their family and friends, which is why they have invited you here today to celebrate with them.

Naming a child is serious business. To some extent, the chosen name might help determine the child's destiny. The principles of finding a suitable name are as follows.

First, the name should have a favorable and inspirational meaning. Secondly, it should be truly a pleasant sounding name when spoken.

(father’s name) and (mother’s name) have accomplished both of these ends by selecting the beautiful name, (child’s name), which means (insert meaning of name), for their precious (son/daughter).

(mother’s name) and (father’s name) have chosen to bestow upon (child’s name) the middle name of (insert middle name). The meaning of that name is (insert meaning).

(his/her) last name is (insert name), which means (insert meaning).

(his/her) full name, (child’s name), is unique, beautiful sounding, representative of the idealof wisdom, and respectful of (his/her) entire family.

(child’s name) is fortunate to hail from a diverse cultural background. (mother’s name) and (father’s name) hope you will all help (child’s name) learn about, appreciate, and respect the various cultural backgrounds in (his/her) heritage, which are:

(insert cultural references such as Italian, Ukrainian, Irish, English, German, etc.)

(His/Her) name, in fact, finds its source in (insert cultural reference) culture.

Through the use of various customs, traditions and experiences that (father’s name) and (mother’s name) plan to teach (child’s name) about (his/her) heritage. (He/She) will be exposed to all of these cultures in some unique and interesting way.

Margaret to parents: (father’s name) and (mother’s name), please name your child.

(mother’s name) and (father’s name): We love you and we proudly name you (child’s name)!

VOWS

Margaret: At this time, we will bear witness to some special promises to (child’s name), the first being from (his/her) parents, (mother’s name) and (father’s name).

PARENTS VOWS:

Margaret:

(mother’s name) and (father’s name), will you be the best, most patient and most loving, parents you possibly can? (“yes”)
Will you always love, honor, and respect (child’s name)? (“yes”)
Will you help (him/her) learn to love truth, even when it goes against (him/her)? (“yes”)
Will you cultivate in (his/her) a kind, generous, and sympathetic spirit? (“yes”)
Will you teach (him/her) that (he/she) is stronger than the things (he/she) fears? (“yes”)
Will you encourage (hi/her) natural courage, curiosity, and sense of justice? (“yes”)
And will you model for (him/her) a healthy and loving relationship that someday (he/she) may enjoy the same? (“yes”)

Thank you, (mother’s name) and (father’s name). May all your parenting aspirations be met and more.

GUIDEPARENTS VOWS:

Margaret: (father’s name) and (mother’s name) and have chosen (insert name of chosen guidemother) and (name of guidefather), to be guideparents to (child’s name). (guideparent’s names), please stand.

(guidefather’s name) is (state connection to parent’s such as friend, brother, etc.) and (guidemother’s) is (state connection to parent’s such as friend, sister, etc.).

(mother’s name) and (father’s name) love and respect (guideparent’s names) and feel confident that they will be of great value and helpfulness to (child’s name) in (his/her) life.

(mother’s name) and (father’s name) are also confident that they will always be there for (child’s name). We now ask (guideparent’s names) to publicly recognize their commitments to (child’s name).

Margaret to (guideparent’s names): (guideparent’s names), please stand.

Do you, (guideparent’s names), accept the responsibility of being (child’s name)’s Guideparents? ( “yes”)
Will you, stay close to (child’s name) and guide (him/her) through life, so that (he/she) may know the best way you know? (“yes”)
Will you try to be a good influence by your own way of living? (“yes”)
Will you encourage (child’s name) to observe worthy principles of living, and treat other people and indeed all creatures, great and small, with respect and dignity? (“yes”)

Thank you, (grandparent’s names). May you gain as much from your special relationship with (child’s name) as (he/she) will.

GRANDPARENTS VOWS

Margaret to Grandparents: (grandparents on maternal side) and (grandparents on paternal side) please stand.

(mother’s name) and (father’s name) acknowledge the special relationship between (child’s name) and (his/her) Grandparents.

(child’s name)’s Grandparents will play an extremely important and active role in (his/her) life.

Grandparents, because of their life experiences and the knowledge gained throughout their lives, have a wealth of exciting tales to tell and adventures to recount. They have stories of people, places and events.

Through close relationships with grandparents, children learn their heritage, social and family history, skills, and many values.

Will you, (grandparent’s names) remain mindful that within this child, (child’s name), there exists an immense and awesome potential that shall emerge as the years pass? (“yes”)
Will you always offer (child’s name) a safe and loving refuge? (“yes”)
Will you trust in (his/her) potential and lovingly support (him/her) in (his/her) ventures? (“yes”)
Will you guide (child’s name) in your wisdom and offer (him/her) counsel whenever (he/she) seeks it? (“yes”)

Margaret: Thank you, (grandparent’s names). May your days with (child’s name) be long and may you learn from (him/her) as you share with (him/her) your wisdom.

GIFT- GIVING CEREMONY

Margaret: At this time and with great joy and love, (grandparent’s names) — adoring grandparents of dear (child’s name) — will present (child’s name) with a token that symbolizes a wish for (him/her).

(Grandparents take turns presenting their token and expressing their wish for (child’s name).) They each say, “(child’s name), I present you with this ____, which is symbolic of my wish that you ____________________.”)

Thank you, (grandparent’s names).

With great joy and love, (guideparent’s names) will present (child’s name) with a token that symbolizes a wish for (him/her).

(Guideparents take turns presenting their token and expressing their wish for (child’s name). They each say, “(child’s name), I present you with this ____, which is symbolic of my wish that you ____________________.”)

Thank you, (guideparent’s names).

Ane now with great joy and love, (names of Aunt and Uncle) Aunt and Uncle to dear (child’s name) will present (child’s name) with a token that symbolizes a wish for (him/her).

(Aunt and Uncle take turns presenting their token and expressing their wish for (child’s name). They each say, “(child’s name), I present you with this ____, which is symbolic of my wish that you ____________________.”)

Thank you, (names of Aunt and Uncle).

With great joy and love, (mother’s name) and (father’s name), proud parents of dear (child’s name), will present (child’s name) with a token that symbolizes a wish for (him/her).

((mother’s name) and (father’s name) take turns presenting their token and expressing their wish for (child’s name). They each say, “(child’s name), I present you with this ____, which is symbolic of my wish that you ____________________.”)

Thank you, (mother’s name) and (father’s name).

I now invite any of you to tell us of the token you bring and the wish you have for (child’s name).

(If anyone wishes to share their token and wish, they do so.)

Thank you.

(child’s name), may all these and many other treasures be yours.

ANCESTOR CEREMONY

Margaret: To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root. So, in the spirit of remembrance we honor our family present and past.

We pay tribute to the importance of family and we celebrate the coming together of these two families.

The ringing of the ceremonial bell is in memory of all who are no longer with us, especially (name of deceased relatives).

They are much loved and missed. Although they can no longer be seen, they, like the bell, are heard in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Mother: (bell ringer will ring bell) We remember and love you, (deceased relative). We honor you; we pass on the light of your life and your love to new generations — to our children — and our children's children. Although (child’s name) was not able to meet you, we will teach (him/her) about you, the life you lived and the love you shared, so that (he/she) too may know and cherish your legacy.

Father: (bell ringer rings bell) We remember and love you, (deceased relative). We honor you; we pass on the light of your life and your love to new generations — to our children — and our children's children. Although (child’s name) was not able to meet you, we will teach (him/her) about you, the life you lived and the love you shared, so that (he/she) too may know and cherish your legacy.

Margaret: As we listen to this musical selection, please remember (name of deceased relatives) and all the friends and family who are no longer with us in life.

MUSIC: “In my Life” (Beatles)

Margaret: We are grateful to our elders whose wisdom we seek in all endeavors, our friends whom we are fortunate to have in our lives, and our parents who guided us along the road to adulthood.

With love in our hearts we remember family who are no longer with us. We ask that they be with us in our minds.

We wish for (child’s name), (his/her) mother (mother’s name), (his/her) father (father’s name) and the entire family that they may always find prosperity in love and devotion to family and the higher ideals in life.

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES:

And now, I will present the ceremony partipants with a momento of this special day. As I give you these beautiful certificates, please stay next to me for a group photo and for the remaining portion of this ceremony.

I acknowledge guideparents (name’s of guideparents) with this certificates.
I acknowledge Grandparent’s (name’s of grandparents) with these certificates.
I acknowledge (name of child) parents (name of parents) with this certificate.
I acknowledge (bell ringer’s name) as the official “Ringer of the Ceremonial Bell” with this certificate.

CONCLUSION:

Margaret: As stated in the Affirmations of Humanism:

We believe in optimism rather than pessimism — hope rather than despair — learning in the place of dogma —truth instead of ignorance — joy rather than guilt —tolerance in the place of fear — love instead of hatred —compassion over selfishness — beauty instead of ugliness —and reason rather than irrationality.

Margaret to (child’s name): (child’s name), be the best person you can.

Always aim to help others and avoid harming anyone.
Be kind and fair to everyone, including people who are different from you.
Be kind and careful with animals.
Care for the Earth.
Recognize that the arts are important for sharing feelings and developing talents.
Recognize that science is important for learning about ourselves and our world, helping us to make this world a better place.

It is our wish that these forthright principles will guide (child’s name) on (his/her) journey through life.

Today we celebrate (child’s name)'s life and our absolute happiness that (he/she) has been born.

All gathered here today are to undertake a special and lifelong interest in (child’s name).

We welcome you (child’s name) and we wish you a healthy long life full of love and happiness. May life's richest joys be yours.

May gentle thoughts and loving deeds be with you always.

May it be your good fortune to play some worthy part in making life more joyful for those whose paths you cross.

I conclude this ceremony by summarizing the thought which has been the theme today.

Let us all be aware that our lives are interrelated. That this ceremony has strengthen the affection and friendship we all have for each other, and this ceremony has acknowledged our relationships with (child’s name).

Through this naming ceremony, we broaden our family circle, remember our heritage and recall those who gave us life.

Let us take the kindred spirit we feel in our hearts at this moment into all of our tomorrows, so that we are richer in spirit for (child’s name)’s presence.

Please welcome the tenacious and exquisite (child’s name) to our lives and into our shared future as we begin our celebration of (child’s name)’s.