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Ceremonies
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The British Humanist Association (BHA)
has a national network of men and women who are trained and accredited to
conduct Humanist Ceremonies. We do not insist that people have to call
themselves Humanists before they can use these services merely that they
would prefer a non-religious ceremony. Each ceremony is individually and sensitively written and whereas they do not contain hymns and prayers they can include poetry, prose and music. The BHA offers a wide range of ceremonies which include those you may already be familiar with such as Funerals; Baby Naming or Welcoming ceremonies and Weddings. There are also Re-affirmation ceremonies; often chosen by couple who wish to mark an important anniversary with a ceremony that publicly declares their commitment to each other in which they re-state their vows. Gay-Affirmation ceremonies; currently referred to as ‘Civil Partnerships’ (although I prefer to use the terms Wedding and Marriage) whereby the love and long term commitment shared by people of the same sex can be openly declared and publicly celebrated. There are Scattering of Ashes ceremonies for families who feel it important to mark this final farewell of a loved one in a significant location with appropriate words and gestures. There are even Divorce ceremonies for couples who find they can no longer live together but feel that, in the same way they publicly declared their hopes and aspirations when they began their married life together, it is equally important to publicly re-affirm the commitment they each have to their children. To promise, in front of witnesses that they are only divorcing each other; they are not divorcing their children. As a registered charity, which receives no government funding, the BHA relies on voluntary donations and legacies. Every BHA accredited Humanist Celebrant who conducts these and other ceremonies pays back part of their fee in a levy to the BHA thereby ensuring that the ceremonies network can continue to grow and provide the opportunity for similar ceremonies to be made available to the rapidly growing number of people who choose them. Lancashire Secular Humanists already have BHA Accredited Celebrants within our membership and anyone seeking a Humanist ceremony can either do that through the group’s secretary or by contacting the BHA direct by phone 020 7079 3580 or by logging on to the BHA web-site where there is a post-code search engine which will put you directly in touch with the nearest accredited celebrant to you.
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