New Beginnings

A new beginning can start at any time in life. Your own unique ceremony is a way of acknowledging a time of new beginnings and hope for the future. Some such ceremonies are suggested below. You may have another in mind, which I would be happy to discuss with you.

Baby Naming

Welcoming a new member of the family into the world and introducing them to their community has been a traditional rite of passage throughout history. A baby naming is an alternative to a religious ceremony such as a christening, although you may wish to include religious elements, together with other readings and poems. The choice is entirely yours.

There will be the opportunity to include other children, grandparents and significant people in the child’s life, in a way that is right for you and your family. You may choose to incorporate other elements to enable them to play an active role, or you may wish to renew your promises to your other children at the same time as making them to their new brother or sister. Guests could bring a small gift or message for the baby to be included in a keepsake box, or a unity candle lit, to symbolise inclusion of all members of the family.

You will receive a commemorative copy of your ceremony, together with commemorative certificates for the baby, and supporting or guiding adults.

Family Blending

This a ceremony which welcomes children as family members by adoption, or the joining of two previously separate families into one, perhaps following remarriage.

The journey to this point may have been challenging, and the ceremony marks an acceptance of the events leading up to this point and looking forward to the future hopes and dreams of the new family unit. You may choose to include bubbles for children to blow, or messy footprint painting to symbolise the journey so far. A sand ceremony may be appropriate where individual particles are placed in a single container by different family members and guests to demonstrate unity within the newly blended family.

You will receive a commemorative copy of your ceremony, together with commemorative certificates for the children and any supporting adults.

A New Identity

Naming ceremonies can take place when someone changes their identity which signifies a moving forward in their life. A transgender person may wish to change their name as they no longer identify with it. Others may wish to adopt a new name following divorce. People of any age may wish to present themselves differently, with both a new identity, and new name.

Such a ceremony is a way of celebrating a transition and may include elements such as planting a tree or wild flowers to signify growth and development. You may have another reason for adopting a new name. If so, please do get in touch to discuss how your ceremony can reflect your particular circumstances and how it can be tailored to fit you.

Moving Home

Home leaving and welcoming ceremonies are a way of saying goodbye and welcoming in the new. You may experience a range of emotions during this period, particularly if you have lived somewhere for a long time. A ceremony in the home you are leaving and/or the one you are moving into can mark this transition, acknowledging a moving on from past memories and experiences.

You may wish to mark the new beginning in a home by burning a candle to let light into each room, or planting a tree, plant or flowers in a garden or container. Some people choose to transfer plants from one home to another, burn essential oils or sweep the rooms with a new broom.

The venue and timing of any ceremony is entirely your choice, and I will be happy to discuss your preferences for this with you, together with any other aspects you wish. You may like to add in optional additional elements to your ceremony and details of these can be found on the Finishing Touches page of this website.

Please note that any certificates are commemorative in nature only, and do not constitute a legal document. You will need to ensure that any registrations or other legal requirements are completed according to the law relating to the area in which you live.

Prices for New Beginnings Ceremonies start at £300, and will vary according individual requirements. Special rates may apply in exceptional circumstances.