our relationships with our fellow human beings and the natural world around us that make our lives worthwhile.

I have been a member of Humanist Society Scotland for over a decade, and a registered Celebrant since 2011. I love conducting ceremonies, it is some of the most rewarding and worthwhile work that I do, and it is a real honour and a privilege.

What humanism means to me.

In short, it is about the things that bring us together rather than those that divide us. We treat this life as the only one we have, so we need to take responsibility for our actions in it. It is this acceptance that we each have only one life that makes it so very precious. Life is not a dress rehearsal and Humanism provides a positive and fulfilling life stance for making the one life we have as worthwhile as possible for ourselves and others. Above all Humanism is about being human. 

Personally I try to live a good life, guided by reason and compassion – not religion or superstition. I enjoy fresh air and sunshine, reading books, cooking and socialising.

a celebrant since 2022 and I absolutely love what I do!  Previously I had a 30+ year career in HR, primarily within the charity sector, and after hankering for a change in direction I was glad to find the perfect role for me. I firmly believe in the Humanist principles of empathy, equality, compassion, reason and respect . So whether I'm working with a family on the funeral of a loved one, planning a fabulous wedding for an excited couple, or helping a family celebrate a new addition via a naming ceremony, it's always a privilege to be able to make a difference in their lives, even in some small way.

On my website, linked below, you can read reviews from many of the wonderful people I have conducted ceremonies for, and also see a gallery featuring some fantastic photos from my celebranting journey so far. Between my own website and also my Insta there are even a few wee videos which include clips of me conducting weddings!

I'm a film buff and I have a very eclectic taste in music. A lifelong passion for the Eurovision Song Contest has seen me visit some fantastic cities over the years; Moscow, Jerusalem, Kyiv, Stockholm, Reykjavik and Liverpool being just some of my favourites! A few years ago I was quizzed on TV by Anne Robinson, and I turned out NOT to be The Weakest Link!

nd live with my husband Lloyd, our two boys Harris and Lachlan, and our Border Collie Bonnie. Before i became a Celebrant in 2015, i worked in various roles, including hospitality and management and as a private carer and for six years i ran a small agency in the heart of Edinburgh. Being a Celebrant with Humanist Society Scotland is such a fulfilling role, and i feel lucky to be doing something that i love so much.

As well as working as a Humanist Celebrant i work i am trained as a Hatha yoga teacher. I love people, travelling, music, walking, nature, learning and laughing.

My first experience of a humanist ceremony was at my uncle Douglas’s memorial ceremony in 2010. I was struck by how wonderfully the ceremony captured him and I was moved by the music, poetry and readings from friends and family.

It was then that I decided to begin my journey towards training to become a Humanist Celebrant and I have not looked back since. It has been a heart-stirring journey that has taught me a great deal along the way and continues to teach me every day.

If you would like to find out more about my ceremonies, please contact me on my mobile number or e-mail address below.

illustrate how much I love my role and give you an insight into my work. Feel free to check out my social media too and then please get in touch to discuss your plans!

Being a celebrant means I meet people from all walks of life. I craft ceremonies from their memories and stories and I am part of some of the most significant occasions in their lives. It's fascinating, diverse, humbling, joyful and incredibly rewarding.

On a personal note, I'm married, have 2 children, a dog and a cat. Life is hectic!

My professional background is Health Promotion/Education and in previous jobs i have worked with neurological conditions, HIV & Aids, Substance misuse, mental health, public health and more. All roles with people at the centre. I decided to become a full time celebrant in 2019 and people are still at the heart of what I do.

Being a humanist doesn’t stop me trying to understand the universe and our place in it. It just means looking to the evidence we have. Fundamentally I believe in treating others with empathy and compassion, not for hope of reward, or fear of retribution, but because it's the most human way to be.

In my (limited) spare time I love:

Cooking and baking ( I own way too many cookbooks.)
Pottering in my wee garden (I adore plants and flowers)
Travelling to interesting places (i have perpetual wanderlust)
Music and live gigs (I have eclectic taste and live in a very musical household)
Researching everything to the *nth degree
And I also love a good dance!

e fact that humanism is inclusive and celebrates equality & diversity.

I feel ridiculously privileged that people trust and involve me in the most important chapters of their story, happy as well as sad, and I hope you’ll let me be involved in writing the next important chapter in yours.

I live by the seaside in Edinburgh with my lovely family (human & canine) and also spend lots of time on the other coast with my Mum in my native Ayrshire, and I regularly have to pinch myself that I get to be in such beautiful places.

I have had a wonderfully diverse career and I have had the pleasure of meeting many incredible people, all of whom have taught me something new, and made me feel glad to be part of our great big world. Having always wanted to be a singer, I have finally accepted that my 95% enthusiasm but 5% talent are better put to use as the undisputed queen of lip-syncing. What I CAN do are ceremonies so I hope we get to meet at some point.

�s an amazing honour to listen to your experiences and stories and then help craft your own unique, personal celebration.

My own story is that Edinburgh is home and life is full of work and play and living. This means I’m often found with my family and friends, with bicycles and books, and curling and crocheting (badly - but it’s fun). I love adventures to new places - and coming back home.

One of my dreams was to become a humanist celebrant, with three thoughts pointing me in this direction: Firstly, my experience of events (big or tiny) that celebrate our humanity show me the joy, compassion and strength people give to each other; Secondly, I get so much from being with people and contributing something real in the moments that matter; and thirdly, humanism makes sense to me - it’s about treating everyone equally, with the same dignity and compassion that you’d like to be to treated with yourself.

And now my dream is a reality. I can’t wait to help you celebrate your landmark occasions, working with you to create the exact ceremony that captures and celebrates your uniqueness - and making lovely memories on the way.

you'd like to see a couple of video clips of me 'in action', have a look at my website (please copy and paste the URL).
https://www.sandythecelebrant.com/

For me, humanism is just common sense based on respect for the individual. Many people these days are not religious, but still want to celebrate a birth, a life or a wedding with elements of a traditional as well as a personal ceremony.

I started my adult life working in business management in Glasgow. Business expansion brought me to Edinburgh where I continued working in the same field. I was lucky to be able to take a career break and scratched an itch to write and completed several screenplays.

Born into a family riddled with divorce, I was stubbornly single, commitment phobic and emphatically unwilling to have children. Having met a fast-talking lawyer I was, by 1998, married and by 2001 we had the first of our two children. I became a househusband and primary carer.

More recently, I realised my role as homework helper had all but disappeared and even my previously near full-time job as the family transport consultant had dwindled away. I felt I wanted a new challenge. I’d always been impressed with humanist funeral ceremonies and knew I had a lot of the requisite skills and experience.

Becoming a celebrant has given me opportunities to meet people with wonderful stories. Being instinctively empathetic, I truly consider it a privilege to be invited into their lives to help them put together a unique and personal ceremony. Every ceremony is different and with, I’m repeatedly told, a naturally warm and rich voice, I try hard to make sure I set the right tone in every respect.

manding career that taught me a lot about human emotions and how to handle them. It gave me the ‘people skills’ to manage situations, deal with the unexpected and help keep people calm, even during times of high excitement and stress.

After leaving the force I explored my creative side. I gained a BA in professional photography and developed a second career specialising in documentary, portraiture and weddings which I absolutely loved.

In the same way I approach my work as a celebrant, I wanted each wedding to be a true collaboration with the bride(s) and/or Groom(s). That joint planning allowed us to create the photographs that truly reflected their wishes.

In 2021 I decided to train as a Celebrant, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows me to continue to meet interesting people, make new relationships and to be a guiding and supportive hand through the ceremonies.

It’s been a privilege to meet with couples and plan their respective weddings and make them unique. It’s my role to be supportive and ensure that each ceremony is truly meaningful and reflects your wishes.

You should enjoy your day. You’ll be excited and nervous, but I’ll do my best to keep things calm and ensure that you’re not stressed.

It’s a great honour to have my signature on so many marriage certificates and to have had the privilege of declaring so many couples “married”.

My photography experience means that I know what your photographer is trying to achieve, and I always work with them to ensure that they can capture the most memorable images of your ceremony. It’s important to me that you have great photographs of your big day.

Please check my website for genuine testimonials from some of the couples I’ve married: https://www.jimmackintosh-celebrant.com/

Personally, I’ve been very lucky and married my wife Linda in 1983 – the best decision I’ve ever made. Our two daughters now live on the south coast with their respective partners, so we spend a fair bit of time there.

My hobbies used to be road running and football but my knees and ankles decided I’d had enough. I’m now a cyclist and a devotee of yoga. It’s great for physical and mental wellbeing and every day starts with a 45-60 min session. Cooking is my other relaxation, but I won’t be on Masterchef any time soon.

ng and privileged kinds of work I have ever done. I was born and grew up in Canada and moved to Scotland in the mid '70s so this is home. I have always had a strong belief in equality and all my working life reflects this. Before I became a celebrant I worked in the voluntary sector and in higher education. My last 2 posts were as Chief Executive of a disability organisation and as Director of Student Disability Services at Edinburgh University. These and other jobs have hugely influenced how I approach being a Humanist Celebrant.

I currently live in Edinburgh with my husband and our cat Max. In my spare time I practice Tai Chi and am a qualified Instructor. I also love cycling and attempt to keep a tidy garden.

I have probably been a Humanist all my life without realising it. It only occurred to me that I might actively do something about it after I helped organise and then attended my brother-in-law's funeral several years ago. We decided that the best way to commemorate his life was to have a Humanist funeral, even though we didn't know much about how it worked. It turned out to be the perfect thing to do. The Celebrant spent a great deal of time getting to know us. She paid attention to what my husband felt and wanted for his brother's ceremony and made every effort to capture a very personal picture of my brother-in-law, his interests, his foibles, his strengths, and his contribution to the local community. This attention to detail and knowing that the Celebrant was there totally for us has had a lasting effect on me.

The seeds were then sown for my own training as a Humanist Celebrant. Working in the voluntary sector and in higher education for many years with a range of people from all different backgrounds and ages also influenced this decision. So when I retired from full time work I was able to follow this up and train to become a Celebrant.



Quite simply what Humanism means to me is treating others respectfully in the way that we would like to be treated ourselves. I hope that my approach to any ceremony that I do, whether it’s a funeral, wedding, civil partnership or naming will reflect that.

I am currently only conducting ceremonies in the Edinburgh area.

ting and rewarding and it is a privilege to be able to conduct ceremonies. Prior to becoming a celebrant, I graduated with a PhD and worked as a scientist for ten years at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Ottawa, Canada.

wo best. Your Big Day should be the way you want, unique and memorable.

To me, Humanism isn't just the negative of not believing in a god. It is about living a good and ethical life, respecting other people in all their diversity and making a contribution to society. Humanist ceremonies are a very personal way to celebrate life's important milestones and it's great that more and more people are having them.

I discovered Humanism and the joined Society in 1991 (in those pre-Facebook days it was from a poster in the library) and realised that I'd been a humanist since my teens, without having a name for what I believed. While national Treasurer, I proposed that our celebrants donate 10% of their fees to the Society which, as ceremonies have hugely increased, has helped us to grow and fund more education and campaigning work.

In 2008, after 34+ years of working with councillors for the City of Edinburgh Council, I took early retirement to train as a celebrant. I have also done a variety of voluntary work, including health promotion, political campaigning, telephone helplines and fundraising.

Feedback from ceremonies has all been very positive and it's great that so many couples get in touch saying "you conducted my brother/friend/mother's wedding .... " This is the most rewarding work I have ever done and I love it!

eturn to "the Kingdom" to visit family and attend the odd Raith Rovers match!
Becoming a Humanist Celebrant felt like a culmination of so many aspects of both my personal and professional lives. I like to think of myself as a "people person" and most of my previous career was spent as a Community Education Worker, based mainly in the Edinburgh community of Wester Hailes. However, alongside this I have become a published novelist and have performed far and wide as a singer-songwriter and lead singer of various bands.
These activities allowed me to develop the presentation skills, the writing skills and the people skills to do justice to my current role which I have now been doing for over five years and over 500 ceremonies! I think I bring professionalism, and some humour - where appropriate - to the role. It's a privilege to come into people's lives at what might be either extremely difficult or joyful moments and it's exceptionally rewarding to have the opportunity to bring comfort or enrichment at those times.
Please get in touch if you think I may be suitable and we can get together for a chat - in-person or online - to see if I'm the best fit for your ceremony. And, hopefully, plan a wonderful ceremony together.
*Please see Website/Facebook/Instagram and YouTube channels below for more information!

, the world is wondrous. I like to find the positives in both.

I became a humanist celebrant as I enjoy listening to people and learning about them. I love writing and telling stories. That’s also why I was a journalist, working in broadcast news and sport for many years. Each day and story were different, whether speaking to well-known faces or those known only within their own community. I then moved into roles in media relations, communications and marketing, PR, mostly in professional and grassroots sport.

I come from Dumfries and Galloway and have lived and worked in Edinburgh for many years. My role as a celebrant has allowed me to return doon hame for ceremonies – although I’m willing to travel! I grew up on farms, and nothing beats the landscapes and seascapes of south west Scotland.

My interests include painting, watching comedy and sport, and listening to audio books – I need to give my eyes a break at some point! I’m also an MHF trained mental health first aider.

And I’ve always loved talking to strangers! So, please feel free to get in touch and let’s talk – I’m always happy to listen.

ue.
Please look at my video https://youtu.be/hskMWX0Ffgo,
or visit my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/celebrantjackiegrant/
to get a sense of the my style, and the range and variety of wedding and naming ceremonies that I conduct.

About me:
Many people are Humanists without knowing the term. This was certainly my experience. I gave up on religion as a teenager...but was never really happy to call myself an atheist...it only said what I didn’t believe. So it was a joy for me to discover Humanism, to state positively what values are important to me.


I worked for a number of years with the local authority in Edinburgh, managing the delivery of social work services to children and families. Social work values of respect, empathy and non-discriminatory practice fit comfortably within Humanist ethics.


My family is important to me, both near and far, and spanning different beliefs and cultures. I think it is important that family and friends come together to celebrate significant life events and achievements. This motivates me as a celebrant: there is a clear need for people to have access to a ceremony that reflects their beliefs and preferences. Humanist ceremonies provide an important choice.

I particularly value the Humanist view that what unites us as human beings is more important than what divides us. Humanism is inclusive and embraces the core values of many religions. Humanists believe we can live good and worthwhile lives guided by compassion and reason rather than religion. We have just this one life, it is precious, and we must use it well.

iculties and / or mental health issues, managing a busy city family centre, a rural gardening / environment project and I specialised in working with folk with dementia. So I don't get ruffled easily!

I love people and their stories, and I think that I have the best job in the world. I get to help people to talk about love and find words to express it, every day!

Although I was born and raised in Edinburgh, I love living in Midlothian, close to the excitement of Edinburgh, right in the middle of the lovely Lothians and just next to the stunning Scottish Borders. I live with my partner and we have two kids who still seem to cost us a packet despite having left home! We also have a couple of dogs and cats, so it’s a busy household to say the least. When I’m not working I actually do like spending time with them!
I also love playing music (I play a few different instruments and sing locally) and I also love to read when I get a minute, which isn't as often as I'd like.

I love my job as a Humanist Celebrant, it's a total privilege to be involved with people during some of the most important times of their lives. I have gained lots of experince through the many hundred ceremonies I've conducted over the many years which means that I always have lots of ideas and being calm under pressure is really important on the day.

I'd be delighted to have a chat about your ideas and maybe add some of my own.
Please feel free to get in touch (with no obligation), I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks
Caroline

You can see more on my website.
www.humanistceremony.co.uk
or on social media (listed below) where you can see photos and videos from some of the ceremonies that I've conducted.

y do believe in people; that people can and do make good decisions on the basis that it is the right thing to do, that people have responsibilities along with rights, that all people deserve to be treated with respect. It's all very lovely and sensible, and makes me feel kind of fuzzy inside. I could go on. But I won't.

I was brought up a farmer's daughter in Dalmeny, just outside Edinburgh. I still prefer being outside to in wherever possible (although am usually cleaner than I was as a child). Having lived in the East Neuk of Fife for years, I've recently moved back to South Queensferry.

The very best thing about being a celebrant is getting to meet so many people, listening to their stories and making sure that their ceremony truly reflects who they are and what they are about. For some, this will be low-key and simple while others enjoy a bit more razzamatazz. Wherever you are on that scale, I will work with you to produce a ceremony that is just right for you; that is warm, dignified and if appropriate, we can have some laughs along the way too.

I am always grateful for the privilege that this position brings with it, and ever aware of the responsibility that is part of the package.

I'm delighted to travel anywhere in Scotland.

f a humanist ceremony was a funeral I attended in 2004 and found it a very personal and uplifting celebration of a friend’s life. So when it came to planning our own wedding, we looked into Humanist options. We were really excited to hear how much it could be about us and gave us the flexibility to work with the celebrant and create something extremely personal.

By the time we got married in 2007 I had applied to become a celebrant myself. I loved the idea of being able to work with couples to give them as great an experience as we'd had, and celebrate their marriage with a very personalised and unique wedding ceremony.

As well as wedding ceremonies, I have had the honour of helping families celebrate the life of a loved one and I am grateful to be entrusted with such an important event and to help them navigate through all the wonderful stories they can tell, so we have a positive and inspiring reflection of all the great things about the person and their life experience.

And of course namings - whether it's a family I've not worked with before or a couple I've married who are then on the next exciting chapter of their life, it is a delight to share in the excitement of recognising a baby, child or young person into a new family. Often it's to celebrate a birth, but I've also shared in some wonderful celebrations for events such as adoption or step-parent name change.

I live in Kirkliston with my husband Derek, my daughters Ailsa and Iona, and our cat Domino. I have a 'normal day job' as well as my celebrant duties, so I am usually able to conduct ceremonies Friday to Sunday, but can be available occasionally to conduct ceremonies during the week.

I can help advise on readings, poetry and music, and offer support for any family members who wish to speak during the ceremony. There's also some great symbolic gestures, most commonly used for weddings and namings, that can add a little something different to your day.

Although based in the West of Edinburgh area, I am happy to travel and I conduct ceremonies regularly in Fife, West Lothian, East Lothian, The Borders, and Perth and Kinross.

Please do get in touch if you'd like to chat through some ideas and get an idea of what I'm like as a person, to see if I'd be a good match for the kind of day you're hoping for.

teachers to weathermen to zoo keepers to business people and actors.

What humanism means to me.
Every human being is unique. Humanism is about respecting and valuing each person's right to be an individual, regardless of race, social position, sexuality or belief. It is inclusive. It is about the things we have in common as human beings and which bring us together. It is about caring for the world in which we live. Humanists look on this life as the only one there is and seek to celebrate that life in the way that they live it.
I have run a degree course for aspiring professional actors at Queen Margaret University and was the main voice coach there for 19 years. I enjoy meeting people and always like to help.
Working full time as a celebrant with Humanist Society Scotland brings together all this skill and creativity and, above all, provides a wonderful opportunity to work with people.

care, compassion and genuine human connection.
Before becoming a celebrant, I worked for many years in health, social care and the third sector, supporting people through some of life’s most challenging and significant moments. Listening carefully, creating safe and calm spaces, and helping people feel heard has always been at the heart of what I do.
I’m naturally empathetic, thoughtful and creative, with a love of words and storytelling. Outside of celebrant work, I’m a lover of life who enjoys time with family and friends, long walks with my dog, and appreciating the small, ordinary moments that matter most.

milies and friends through a difficult time and I try to make every ceremony a unique, personal, honest celebration of the deceased's life.

Comments include:

"The family and I have had loads of feedback from people who attended the service saying it was the best they had heard and that you did a memorable job, you got him to a T."

"It was a lovely and Mum would have loved it. "

"Though it is a sad occasion for family and friends your service emphasised the word 'celebrate' and we took that sentiment way with us as we left the crematorium. This will help us get through the hard times ahead."

I am based in Midcalder, where I have lived for over thirty years, but I am willing to travel, (by classic motorcycle if the funeral is for a fellow motorcyclist). My other interests are the Scots Language (I would be more than happy to conduct a ceremony in Scots), off-road cycling and walking. Horse riding is more than an interest - it is a passion.

I have lived long enough to have seen most sides of life and I believe I can deal with difficult situations with understanding, sensitivity and compassion.

I originally trained as a Humanist Celebrant around 2002 but was forced to take a break due to pressure of work. On retiring from a career in Scots lexicography and university teaching, I retrained and have been conducting Humanist Funerals for the last three years. Before embarking on an academic career, I had a wide variety of jobs from dishwasher to chemistry and biology teacher.

!).

I have worked in the third sector for almost 20 years, I also sing with two cover bands and have a small art business selling my paintings and doodles.

Why did I decide to become a celebrant?
I lost my mum suddenly and we held the most beautiful celebration of life ceremony for her, conducted by a Humanist celebrant. The process was so easy at a time when we were all devastated and didn't know where to start. The ceremony was filled with warmth, love, laughter and a few tears and it completely inspired me to become a Humanist Celebrant. I understand how painful it is so lose someone you love and saying goodbye is so tough, but if I can help ease the process for you I will be honoured to do so. Put simply, I want to give others the comfort that my mums ceremony brought me. Becoming a Humanist Celebrant naturally brings my skills together- I'm a great listener, empathetic, I love writing and speaking to people and I'm good at making people feel at ease.

To me, Humanism is about treating others the way we want to be treated ourselves- with empathy, compassion and kindness. After losing my mum, it strengthened my belief that we only have one life to live and should give everything our best shot. Gie it laldy!