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What is a Naming Ceremony?
Naming ceremonies are becoming popular as an alternative to Christenings. For many parents having their baby Christened was the way in which they traditional acknowledged and welcomed the arrival of their new baby into the world, many parents however might not feel comfortable with the religious aspects of such an occasion. This is where a Naming Ceremony offers a very special alternative. A Naming Ceremony is designed specifically for you and your child and so is a very personalised occasion. The ceremony can take any form and the content is structured around your own wishes or, if appropriate, personal belief systems.
Naming ceremonies do not have to be confined to babies, ancient beliefs for example recognise the important life transitions such as that from child to adolescence, and this is often a fruitful time to conduct a ceremony for an older child, encouraging their full participation in the proceedings.
With the greater occurrence of step-families nowadays it is also often appropriate to symbolically recognise the uniting of children from the two families of each partner into the new family unit.
Where can I hold a Naming Ceremony for my Child?
One of the main advantages of a Naming Ceremony is that it can be held at more or less any venue or location of your choice. Most ceremonies will be held at the child’s house, perhaps in the garden, with a buffet tea to follow. Some are held at more formal venues such as a local hotel or community hall. Some of the nicest ceremonies are held in outside locations which have special meaning to the parents such as a local beauty spot. If you are considering an outside location it is important to gain permission from the landowner for example the National Trust or the local council. Most landowners are very obliging! For outside locations it is also important to consider the time of year and the accessibility of the venue for your guests, for example elderly relatives may have difficulty in reaching the location. Location is an aspect of your child’s Naming Ceremony you might like to discuss with your Celebrant before making your decisions.
What will the ceremony consist of?
The content of your child’s Naming Ceremony will be based completely on your own wishes. The ceremony can accommodate secular beliefs or take on a more spiritual or Pagan emphasis. You can choose your own poetry or prose, music and contributors to the ceremony. Your Celebrant will usually make an initial visit to discuss your wishes and structure the ceremony around these. Your Celebrant will work with you in creating a service especially to match your requirements.
Ceremonies can also include a traditional Baptism if parents wish
Does a Naming Ceremony have any legal status?
It is important to remember that, like Christenings, Naming Ceremonies have no legal status. You must register the birth of your baby at your local register office.
How much will a Naming Ceremony for my child cost?
The standard fee for a Naming Ceremony is £120.
Fees include an initial visit or telephone consultation to discuss your wishes, writing your personalised ceremony and conducting the ceremony at the specified location. Locations outside of a 30 mile radius of Portsmouth can be negotiated but will incur extra fees for travelling expenses at 38.5p per extra mile. Ceremonies incorporating 2 or more children are charged at the singular rates where the ceremony is structured to simply accommodate the extra namings. Joint or multiple ceremonies that require extensions to the ceremony structure will incur fees of £50 per child in addition to the usual singular rate. Please contact your Celebrant to discuss your requirements.
Babies are Angels that fly to the earth,
their wings disappear at the time of their birth
one look in their eyes and we’re never the same
they’re part of us now and that part has a name
that part is your heart and a bond that wont sever
our Babies are Angels, we love them forever
Author unknown
A Perfect Gift for a New Baby
"The Day You Were Born"
Sepia or coloured certificate
£5
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