Most local authorities in the United Kingdom now offer a civil naming ceremony as an alternative to a religious service. These can be arranged through local Register Offices. The person who officiates at such a ceremony is usually one of the registrars who would conduct a civil wedding.
The service contains many elements that are similar the Christenings, with the official naming of the child and selected adults making promises, but there is no religious content. There is scope to personalise the service with readings and music and the promises made to the child can be customised. Grandparents are often included in the ceremony too and the service can easily be adapted to welcome children from different marriages, or for adopted children.
To have a registrar officiate at the service, the ceremony needs to be held in premises approved by the local authority for civil ceremonies. Some people, however, prefer the informality of having a naming ceremony at home. There are a number of commercial businesses who offer alternative naming ceremonies and the British Humanist Association offers a ceremony that can be customised and taken by the child’s family of friends, or a British Humanist Association accredited naming celebrant. Humanists believe that man is the highest authority and that mankind has advanced without God. British Humanist Association naming ceremonies usually last about twenty minutes. It is also possible to purchase just the script for a naming ceremony, which you can then adapt to your own requirements.
Although naming ceremonies such as those organised by the British Humanist Association or commercial businesses are not legally binding in any way, you may receive a record of the ceremony as a memento.
There’s a good range of personalised christening gifts at our internet shop.