Celebrant or Humanist – What’s the Difference?

When planning a funeral, wedding, renewal of vows or baby naming ceremony, many people wonder about the difference between a celebrant and a humanist. The two roles are often confused, but understanding the distinction can help you choose the right type of ceremony for you or your family.

What does a celebrant do?

A celebrant creates and leads fully personalised ceremonies. Celebrant-led ceremonies are flexible and shaped around the individual, family, or couple.

A celebrant ceremony can:

• Be religious, spiritual, secular, or a blend
• Include prayers, readings, music, symbolism, or quiet reflection
• Reflect mixed beliefs or traditions
• Be written entirely around your wishes

This flexibility makes celebrants a popular choice for families who want a ceremony that feels personal, inclusive, and authentic.

What is a humanist ceremony?

A humanist ceremony is always non-religious. Humanist ceremonies focus on the life lived, personal stories, and shared values, without any religious or spiritual content.

A humanist ceremony will:

• Contain no prayers, hymns, or references to faith
• Be fully secular and values-led
• Focus on human connection, memories, and legacy
• Suit those who are clear they want a non-religious ceremony
• Include music, readings and poems that reflect their outlook on life

Celebrant vs humanist – which should you choose?

There is no right or wrong choice — only what feels right for you.

• Choose a celebrant if you want flexibility and the option to include or exclude religious elements
• Choose a humanist if you want a ceremony that is clearly and consistently non-religious

Both options can create meaningful ceremonies; the key difference is freedom of content.

A quiet next step

A gentle conversation can help.

Contact me through my website for a no-obligation discovery call with Steve Pritchard-Jones, an experienced celebrant working across Shropshire, Telford, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and North Wales.
👉 www.pjtopnote.co.uk