Rites of Passage

The vast majority of people in our culture use a church only for hatches, matches and dispatches.

All ancient cultures paid serious attention to life’s punctuation marks in order to bring meaning and depth to their whole life experience.

It’s interesting that we are drawn back to our roots when we have an important event that needs acknowledging in a way that goes beyond the mundane. This enables us to move and grow consciously into the next phase of our human journey. Boys need rights of passage to mark their entry into manhood, women into motherhood and croneship. Separations require closure; unions, blessing; celebrations and mournings to be acknowledged.

Conscious participation in baby namings, for example, welcomes the soul into this baby’s being. It brings parents and guardians or god parents into deeper and more spiritual connection with the child’s well being.

A handfasting ceremony (increasingly popular) gives a couple the opportunity of declaring their commitment to each other for a certain period – traditionally a year and a day – and acts, like vow renewal, as a reminder of the love and commitment that one has for the other.

Weddings & Handfastings

Many people are choosing to celebrate their union with a tailor made ceremony in accordance with their beliefs, which may or may not be religious. This ceremony might include readings of favourite poetry by friends or relations, music that has meaning for you and will include exchange of rings and the personal vows you make to each other.

A wedding ceremony conducted by an Interfaith minister is legally binding in Scotland and Ireland, but requires a visit to the Register Office in England for marriage certification.

Handfastings are ceremonies with ancient Norse and celtic roots. They are for couples who wish to make a commitment to each other for, traditionally, a year and a day, a lifetime, for all of eternity or as ‘long as love shall last’. They are called handfastings because at the heart of the ceremony the hands of the couple are ‘bound’ by ribbon, cord or cloth to symbolize their stated promise of commitment.

Renewal of Vows

Renewal of Vows is a ceremony, usually small and intimate, for those wishing to acknowledge their continuing commitment and love one for another. It is a beautiful way of deepening a relationship, expressing gratitude and love and a reminder of the value of real companionship through life’s journey.

Divorces

This might not sound like an occasion for a celebration, but it is an opportunity to acknowledge the learning, or positive aspects of a relationship that has now come to the end of its present form. This brings acceptance and closure, even though there may be pain and regret and enables the possibility for friendship and moving on.

Baby Namings

This ceremony (and it doesn’t have to be only for babies) acknowledges the presence of a human being by celebrating its naming. Our names are important in that they represent our own particular sound, or ‘note’. For babies, it is an opportunity for parents to openly welcome them into the family, to make a statement of commitment for their care and love, and for godparents to state their intention to be involved in the welfare of the child as it grows.

Funeral & Memorial services

These will be created with deep consideration as to how a loved one who has moved on would appreciate their life being celebrated by friends and family. Favourite song, music, words or commentary provide a heartfelt and poignant marking of a life, and provide opportunity for expressions of appreciation as well as farewell.

Other Interfaith Ceremonies

Below is a list of some of the Other Interfaith Ceremonies that are offered:

To talk about a ceremony you are considering, please contact me on:

T: +44 (0)1803 863 656
E: contact@sueminns.co.uk