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BRYAN STAPLEY
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Humanist Celebrant
Non religious wedding, funeral and naming ceremonies
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Humanists are non
religious people who try to live according to principles of reason and
concern for others.
They aim to be open minded, tolerant, and respectful of everyone
regardless of belief.
They seek fulfilment for themselves and others in this life because they
believe it is the only one we have.
Humanist
Celebrants are highly trained to prepare and conduct ceremonies to your
wishes with empathy and sensitivity.
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Weddings
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Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life.
You are expecting your family and friends to join you on this
happiest day and to witness your expression of love and commitment to
each other. Your
celebration should be one that shows truly the ideals and aspirations
that will provide a firm foundation for the rest of your lives as well
as providing very happy memories. An increasing
number of couples are searching for a more inspiring alternative to the
traditional wedding and a Humanist or non religious secular wedding
provides this option. Whatever
your beliefs or backgrounds this alternative provides a platform to make
a serious commitment to share the rest of your lives. For
those who want an individual ceremony with more meaningful and personal
content than a civil ceremony, a Humanist wedding is the ideal answer.
It is designed to suit your particular needs, personalities and
outlooks, and from the outset you are involved with the Celebrant in
deciding exactly what you want it to include.
You can write your own vows, and select words and music that mean
something to you, being as romantic and creative as you wish.
Where family members and friends make spoken or musical
contributions, it adds enormously to the ceremony.
No
two Humanist ceremonies are the same because each one is prepared and
written to include your wishes and personality.
Your ceremony can take place at any venue of your choice, indoors or
outside. A hotel or
villa a garden can be used but more often now a unique setting in a
Spanish mountain village makes for a memorable experience.
After the ceremony what better than a Spanish Gypsy Feast with
Flamenco guitars in the background or you may prefer a quiet family
meal.
No special licence is required but some couples may wish to do
the ‘legal bit’ in the UK at a registry office, low key with just a
couple of witnesses, before coming out to Spain for the full commitment
vows and ceremony. Needless
to say, they regard the Humanist ceremony as their ‘real’ wedding, and
it is usually here that they exchange vows and rings.
(The paperwork for a legal wedding for foreigners in Spain takes many
complex months to obtain).
Of course, same sex ceremonies can be arranged also renewal of vows at
special anniversaries.
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Funerals
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The death of a
relative or close friend is often a bitter experience and the feelings
of shock and loss can be very deep. A funeral
should be an occasion for family and friends to focus their thoughts on
the person who has died, and help them express their sadness.But
it is also an opportunity for them to celebrate the life of the person
they have lost, to express their gratitude and appreciation, and to say
farewell with care and respect. Although many
people in the UK are aware of the alternative to a religious funeral the
option is not so well advertised in Spain. Non
religious or Humanist funerals are available through most Costa Funeral
Directors but not widely offered unless requested.This often
means a bereaved family does not have the chance to give the kind of
final goodbye to a loved one they would have preferred, especially when
they know the deceased was not religious. A non
religious funeral has the same status in law as a religious one and can
be a very moving and dignified ceremony. Most
families do not want a stranger or duty priest, who never knew the
deceased, to stand up and utter standard words that mean little to them.Non
religious funerals are usually conducted by Humanist Celebrants who have
been well trained and have great empathy and understanding for the needs
of bereaved families. They will meet the relatives
to discuss in detail what type of ceremony they would like, what music
or poems to be included and most important they discuss in great detail
the life of the deceased.
This will include their family background, achievements and
personality.
The celebrant then goes away to write a script for the ceremony
including a full meaningful tribute to the deceased and everything the
family requested, including time for any of them to pay their own
personal tribute.
So that no one with religious beliefs is upset, the celebrant
will include a period of quiet reflection when those present can offer
their own private prayers. Whatever the
circumstances of life and death, celebrants are not there to moralise or
judge, but to understand.
They will help to plan a personal and dignified funeral ceremony,
and conduct it on the day.
They also have an important role of liaison with funeral
directors and crematorium and cemetery staff. If
you feel a humanist funeral is for you please ensure your family fully
understand your wishes before
your death.
If you want a non religious funeral for a relative or
friend be sure to inform the funeral director at the first meeting.
Also note that you do not have to be rushed in to a
quick funeral, simply tell the funeral director you want a delay to give
your family and friends time to get out here and he will usually
accommodate you.
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Namings
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The alternative to a christening which leaves the child to make its own
decisions later in life. |
Bryan is an experienced, Humanist Celebrant having conducted
hundreds of ceremonies and trained many others for the work.
Web Site
www.celebrants-espana.com
e-mail
info@celebrants-espana.com
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