Celebrant profile:
Sheila Scobbie
Hi....I am Sheila Scobbie; a mum to two grown up children and grandma to three gorgeous grandchildren.
I became a celebrant in 2016, however my interest in Humanist ceremonies began several years before when I attended my first Humanist funeral. That was soon followed by my son's and daughter-in-law's Humanist wedding.
I was struck by the fact that, in my opinion, there was a wonderful, memorable and totally inclusive alternative to what I had previously considered to be religious events.
My background is in a corporate world however, when the time was right for me to change direction, I submitted my application to HSS and was delighted to be accepted.
Having the opportunity to share memorable times in peoples' lives, whether happy or sad, is a privilege not lost on me. I have loved meeting people, hearing their stories and putting together a unique ceremony to mark a significant event in their lives.
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Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Your wedding is one of the most special days of your life and I would love to help you make that day the best it can possibly be. A Humanist Wedding gives you the opportunity to build a day that is exactly what you both want and that says the things you want to say.
Initially we would meet for a relaxed chat, I usually conduct these meetings in my home. I will explain your options and listen to any ideas you have. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start – that’s what I am there for; to guide you through the process and make suggestions.
To help me capture your story, I will give you some homework - a great chance for you to sit down together with a bottle of wine and reminisce.
A few months out from the wedding I will write the first draft of the ceremony which we will undoubtedly tweak until you have the unique and personal ceremony exactly as you want it.
HSS celebrants are licensed to marry couples in any venue, as long as it is safe and dignified. Choosing an HSS celebrant also means you are covered by our Ceremony Promise. If for some unforeseen reason I was unable to conduct the ceremony, another HSS celebrant would step in and deliver the exact ceremony we will have written together.
I love my job and would feel extremely privileged to write and deliver a ceremony that you can fondly look back on in years to come and remember the things that brought you together.
Naming & Welcoming Ceremonies
A Humanist Naming and Welcoming Ceremony is a wonderful and memorable way to welcome a new baby into the world and celebrate their arrival with the people closest to you. It can also be an ideal way to welcome an older child who might be joining a family; perhaps through adoption or marriage.
The ceremony would be unique to you and I would come along ahead of the day and have a very relaxed chat with you about all sorts of things; from when you found out you were expecting, through to what sort of little person your child is becoming - and everything in between!
We can also decide what you want the day to look like. Should it be formal or informal? Do you want guide parents and, if so, who?....and why did you choose them? We can look at ideas for symbolic gestures if that is something you are interested in. Also some people like to involve friends or family members - again I can suggest ways in which you might do that.
Your ceremony should reflect what matters most to you and I will help guide you so that, together, we can craft a wonderful day which you can really look forward to and keep in your memories forever.
I'd be delighted to have a preliminary chat with you so please don't hesitate to call with any questions you might have.
Funeral Ceremonies
Being invited by a family to conduct a Humanist funeral for someone they love has been extremely rewarding and I consider it a huge privilege.
I meet with the family (usually in their homes) and we talk about the person's life; who they were, what they did during their life and what they meant to those around them. This helps me compose a fitting tribute which, as well as acknowledging the grief and sadness felt by those left behind, also reflects the essence of the person. It is an opportunity to share memories that build a picture of their character and ultimately help compose a celebration of their life.
A Humanist funeral is a very personal ceremony and can include music that had a particular significance in the deceased's life. I am also happy to help guide a family member or friend who might want to contribute.
At this inevitably sad time it is my aim to compose a tribute which is comforting, uplifting and very inclusive. I will send the ceremony across to you ahead of the day to ensure you have the final say around the content.
Ultimately my aim is that the family can look back and feel that, together, we did the person that has gone, proud.