Celebrant profile:
Mary Kane
I love being a Humanist Society Scotland celebrant. Dream Role! Whatever type of ceremony you are arranging, it should be as unique as you are, so I'm here to help you make it a truly memorable and enjoyable occasion for all. Here's a little bit about me.
I come from a tiny little town on the east coast of Ireland called Dublin. I moved to Scotland two decades ago and fell in love. With the architecture, the scenery and a dashing young man who is now my husband. We have three wonderful children ( don’t tell them I said they are wonderful ) who are almost adults, so I felt the time was right to follow my career dreams and become a registered celebrant, conducting weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies.
I started my working career as an IT programmer. While I enjoyed the complexity of the job, I knew I wanted to work with the public, rather than in a back office. I then spent many years as a primary teacher, and I remember all their wee faces and stories fondly. I’m now employed part-time in a supportive role at the University of Stirling which is a great place to meet people from all walks of life.
I enjoy being busy, so when I’m not working or ironing, you’ll find me walking, cycling or Zumba-ing, anything to get rid of the bingo wings I inherited from my mum!
I’ve identified as a Humanist for a number of years and enjoy discussing with interested folk why I believe so strongly in the work of the charity Humanist Society Scotland. Many people turn away from organised religions or the cultural traditions of their birth. Yet they still want to do good and live in a like-minded, helpful and caring community.
Humanists believe in the power of good without the power of God. Since joining the society I’ve met so many interesting people and shared a drink with a few of them! Their stories are so life affirming and reinforce the world view that you only have one life, so you need to live every day of it.
I look forward to helping you celebrate life’s milestones.
Check My Availability
Busy Limited Available
Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies
My wedding video says it all. Looking forward to working with you to craft the ceremony you want, whether that be a wedding, vow renewal, elopement or civil partnership. It's your day, and I want your ceremony to be as memorable as the hoolie afterwards !
I have included my favourite review which also includes my Insta tag, and I didn't even have them to pay them to say it !
It’s been two weeks since I married my perfect match! there is one special @person who made it happen - @marykanescotland
Mary was amazing throughout the process! She was understanding and patient when we got hit by series of unpleasant events. She kept us organised and calm when we were losing our heads and she was a superstar on the day! All our guests mentioned Mary to us. Admiring her contagious energy, attitude and sense of humour. Mary, thank you for doing us an honour of marrying us and for the executive decision to bring the ceremony under the roof when that wall of rain hit us unexpectedly! will never forget: “everyone grab your chair and head to marquee!” love, Kasia and Graeme Nairns, London.
And then there's....
We can't thank you enough for everything you have done for us. You were so great about everything in the lead up to and on the day. Your energy and enthusiasm really came through and set the tone just right for what we were looking for. You kept us right with getting everything set and came along with us for all the personalisation's we wanted to throw in the mix. It was a fantastic day and everyone has been sharing with us, and still talking about, how great you were.
Alana and Alastair, Stuckgowan House, by Arrochar, June 2026
Thank you for making our day extra special, Mary. We will happily be recommending you to everyone. We loved how you were so relaxed and fitted right in with our slightly unconventional wedding. Karen and Colin, aboard the Rob Roy III on Loch Katrine, March 2025
Thank you so much for sending this across and for everything you did for us on Sunday - you really helped put us both at ease and we are so, so happy we picked you to marry us - no one else came close! During the drinks reception, we had so many people tell us how good the ceremony was and that they thought you were absolutely brilliant! You really played such a huge part in making our day the happiest of our lives. Fiona and Ross, Houstoun House Hotel, October 2024.
That's us home after a wonderful day. Thanks so much for all your hard work and for making it such a special ceremony for us - it was a perfect day, and you were a big part of it. Paul and Helen, Cromlix Hotel, July 2024.
So many of our guests have commented on how fun the ceremony was and how they have never been to a wedding where they have laughed so much, so we would like to thank you for creating such a brilliant script and atmosphere, it wouldn't have been the same without you! Courtney and Michael Divers, Civic House, June 2024.
Thank you Mary! Dale and I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you for making our special day so fabulous. Your personal touch, professionalism and kind way really added to making it so special. Take care xxx Lorraine and Dale, Vow Renewal Ceremony, The Gleneagles Hotel, November 2023.
Thank you so much for everything, Mary. We both felt like it was a family friend who was with us and we really couldn't have asked for any more! We had so many comments on how great the ceremony was and how at ease you made everyone feel. Sarah and Adam, married at House for an Art Lover, October 2023
The whole day was wonderful and you really put us at ease. Everyone commented on what a wonderful, personal and relaxed ceremony it was (I think the tears and laughs said it all!) Lucy Elphinstone, married at The Rhynd Sept.2023
Naming & Welcoming Ceremonies
Like most Irish folk, I love connecting with people and I can tell a good story. Your story. Humanist naming ceremonies are scripted and delivered with you and your child firmly in mind. Many are for babies, and I promise not to cuddle them too much or rub their new born baby smell away. Or they may be a bit older, and you wish the ceremony to be a celebration of their life so far, and a re-affirmation of their birth name.
My ceremonies can also be for welcoming new family members or those celebrating a new name/ direction in life. A great deal of thought is put into choosing a name so why not celebrate that with your loved ones.
I will craft a ceremony that celebrates life’s special times, delights in their individuality and can also raise a nod (or a glass) to those who can’t be with you. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, and I have a variety of symbolic gestures that I can talk you through.
A lot of people like to choose guide parents or promise parents for the naming ceremony to support their child as they grow from giggling toddler to grumpy teenager. Others like to have friends or family recite a poem or read a special piece of writing. I have lots of ideas/ resources and am happy to share them with you for inspiration.
Whoever you choose as your celebrant, I hope the ceremony brings you happiness and cake in equal measure.
Fees for my naming ceremonies.
My 2024 fee = £220, (£80 deposit, balance payable about 6 weeks before the ceremony as by that stage the script has been finalised by the parents. )
I don't charge travel expenses within the Central Belt of Scotland.
Funeral Ceremonies
I decided to become a celebrant after both my parents died within weeks of each other. What gave me comfort at that time was sharing stories with family and friends, remembering happy and sad times, focussing on their lives rather than on the manner of their deaths.
A Humanist ceremony is a celebration of the life of your loved one and my scripts are crafted so that they reflect the memories and the wishes of your family. A personalised, uplifting ceremony can help to soothe some of the pain of losing someone you love, and it would be my privilege to deliver a fitting tribute interspersed with your selection of music, poems or readings.
If family and friends are unable to travel to the ceremony the introduction of 'live-streaming' in venues can help all mourners to feel included, and I will do my utmost to facilitate this.
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the lovely personal service for my dad last week. I said to my family it was like you knew him. It gave us all a lot of comfort during a difficult day. " Carla, Bridge of Allan
"Mary thank you so much for today. Your celebration of Ian’s life was beautiful. Everyone thought it was lovely and a good reflection of Ian’s life. Ian to a t. " Elaine, Stirling
"Just wanted to thank you again for the lovely service you gave Stewart on Friday.
It was perfect and I know he would have loved it. Everyone said it was an amazing service. I still can’t get over how many people were there, was overwhelmed. " Elaine, Perth
Ceremony fees:
Contact me to confirm my fee