Typically you can expect a fee in the region of €225-€300 plus a contribution of €25 to the HAI.

The amount of €25 for naming ceremonies is payable on booking and is a contribution to the HAI to fund its work. This includes education about humanism, advocacy, events and organisation running costs. This is separate to any booking deposit that may be requested by your celebrant.

The HAI contribution includes one year’s free membership, for a couple or an individual, to the Humanist Association of Ireland. Once you have completed your booking online, the HAI will send you details of how to avail of your free membership.

Please note that your ceremony will not be fully booked until you have paid your HAI contribution fee.

Ceremony fees may vary from celebrant to celebrant, particularly if the venue is some distance away, as the celebrant may need to add expenses such as travel, and possibly accommodation costs.

Please note that some of our celebrants, who exceed the VAT turnover threshold set by the Revenue Commissioners, are required to charge VAT at the standard rate of 23% in addition to their fees.

Throughout history, in countries all over the world, ceremonies have been used to mark and celebrate important events in people’s lives. Many of us find that a formal occasion of this kind can be very significant and enjoyable.

At a Humanist Naming/Welcoming ceremony the parent has the opportunity to declare publicly their love for their child and their aspirations for the child’s future.

You can make this declaration among family and friends in a meaningful and significant ceremony. Our ceremonies are very personal and your celebrant will work with you to put together a ceremony that is right for you and your child/children.

It is a good idea to contact a celebrant to ascertain their availability before committing yourselves to a particular date. If you cannot find a celebrant based locally, then do try celebrants further away. Many celebrants are happy to travel across the country, but will charge travel expenses.

Your celebrant will arrange a meeting with you and will be happy to consult carefully with you to ensure that the ceremony is uniquely tailored to your requirements.

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Many people choose to hold the ceremonies in their own homes. Otherwise they are normally held in a local hotel, community/sports centre or GAA club. Woodlands and parks are also popular locations.

A ceremony will typically comprise some or all of the following elements:

• An introduction and welcome
• Some words about the joys and responsibilities of being a parent and the potential of the child you are welcoming
• Some words on the importance of the support of the wider family and community
• The lighting of candles by grandparents to symbolise the two strands of the family to which the child belongs
• A declaration of commitment / vows to the child from the parent/s.
• A formal naming (often with an explanation of the child’s name/s)
• The appointment of adult sponsors/mentors/guide-parents (a secular
  equivalent to godparents)
• Some readings (poetry or prose or specially written words) from family and or friends or from the new guide-parents
• The giving of symbolic/personal gifts
• Music – your personal choices or maybe from a family member or guest
• A closing thank you to all those in attendance.
• A memory/scrap book for the child which attendees can sign and add comments, aspirational wishes and add drawings/photos etc.

Naming/Welcoming ceremonies typically take anything from 15 mins – 30 mins, it’s really up to you. Be guided by the celebrant you engage taking account of your requirements for the day

Humanist Naming/Welcoming ceremonies are simple and personal occasions.

Our ceremonies are tailored to your requirements and are non-religious, secular occasions.

They are designed to be a positive option for those who share the same philosophical belief system as Humanists whether you wish to call yourself a Humanist or not, and even whether you are a member of any Humanist association or not.

Note: Please think carefully about this choice. If you think you don’t share the same philosophy, or you actually believe in a god or the supernatural, then perhaps a Humanist ceremony is not the right choice for you.

One of the tenets of Humanism is a tolerance for others who hold different belief systems, therefore everyone feels included during a Humanist ceremony. A Humanist Naming/Welcoming ceremony does not however aim to copy a religious christening but is a simple and moving occasion in its own right.