The choice and flexibility to honour your love for each other in a way that reflects you.
Parents are welcome to create their own service to celebrate new life and to welcome a child into the community.
You don't need a conventional or religious background, either to plan your ceremony or a loved one's.
All are welcome
We are pleased to offer weddings for same-sex couples and people who are divorced. The spiritual meaning of our wedding ceremonies is based on the lives and values of the two people who are getting married. We are happy to marry people of different faiths and of none.
Our weddings
Our weddings provide couples with a unique opportunity to create a ceremony that reflects their beliefs and attitudes. Our celebrants work with couples to design a service that honours their love for each other and their hopes for the future. Wedding ceremonies can include the familiar elements of a church wedding; for example the exchange of vows and rings. However, music and readings can be drawn from both traditional and modern sources.
The setting
Our newly restored, elegant and iconic church is a lovely setting for weddings. The church has excellent acoustics, an organ and a grand piano. There is disabled access and seating for approximately 110 guests. The church hall and kitchen can be hired for wedding receptions.
Contact us
If you are thinking about getting married and would like to view our Grade II Listed building or talk to one of our celebrants please contact us.
The church is registered for marriages. The cost, including hire of church, authorised person, celebrant and caretaker, for weddings in 2022 is £930 and £960 in 2023.
Our Hall is available for hire following your ceremony for £20 an hour.
WEDDINGS
CHILD NAMING
Why have a ceremony for your child?
A Unitarian child-naming ceremony gives parents the opportunity to create a way of welcoming their new child into their family and community. At Brighton Unitarian Church we work with parents to create a child-naming that is beautiful and meaningful.
Unitarians are not bound by religious dogma, and this means we can create celebrations and rites for a wide range of families. Our celebrant will work with parents to put together a rite that celebrates the birth of a child or an adoption.
We do not generally call our ceremonies ‘christenings’ but this does not make them any less sacred or significant. What is important for Unitarians is the commitment of parents to their child, and the love they bring to this.
Who can have such a ceremony?
Anyone is welcome to request a Unitarian child naming. We do not ask parents to affirm anything they do not believe and we do not expect parents to justify their lifestyle or home life to us. Modern families take many forms and everyone is welcome.
Who performs the ceremony?
We have a team of celebrants who are used to leading services and other rites of passage in our Church.
What age should the child be?
Usually the child will be a few months old but this does not have to be so. A child may be brought for a celebration of birth or adoption at any age.
We are happy to design ceremonies to welcome adopted children into their new families. We can do the same for older children –who can be involved in creating their own ceremony.
Are godparents required?
Godparents are not required as part of our child-naming ceremonies but may be included. Some parents choose to call godparents sponsors or supporters. All those in attendance have a role to play in that they represent the wider support of the community.
What happens in the ceremony?
This depends on the parents or guardians and our celebrant. The result will be a ceremony drawing on the parents’ values and their sense of what is sacred to them. Readings, prayers and music can be drawn from a range of sources and many ceremonies will include candle lighting. Most parents want the ceremony to represent their hopes and dreams for their child.
For parents who belong to different religious traditions, readings from each of their faiths can be integrated.
Further Information
If you'd like to know more then please contact us.
Child-naming ceremonies are arranged in discussion with one of our team of celebrants.
The cost is £475. Our Hall is available for hire following your Service.
MEMORIALS & FUNERALS
Organising your own funeral
You are welcome to discuss arrangements for your own funeral or memorial at Brighton Unitarian Church. Next of kin are often relieved when a person has made their wishes known. It means they can truly respect that person’s wishes. We can discuss your arrangements - music, readings etc. - with you and give advice on the many practical issues funerals involve.
The funeral of a loved one
We provide funeral services for people of all faiths or none. Our aim is to provide funerals that honour the life of the deceased. We endeavour to reflect their values and beliefs so that the service has beauty and meaning for those who are grieving.
We do not require that our funeral services include Bible readings or traditional hymns. We work closely with next of kin to include readings and music that authentically honour the departed.
Memorial Services
You may wish to consider organising a memorial service at the Church. These can be particularly relevant when family members and friends are scattered round the world and cannot come together at short notice. Memorial services are usually organised several months after a death; they give loved ones an opportunity to celebrate the person they have lost.
Practical Matters
Funerals have many practical aspects and we can advise you about your choices. On registering a death the Registrar will provide you with a helpful booklet. Below are some things to consider:
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The executor of the will or next of kin have the final say regarding questions such as cremation or burial. If you are arranging your own funeral it is important to write your wishes down and keep them with your will.
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The service at a crematorium or cemetery usually lasts for about 30-40 minutes. You may wish for a longer service in the Church followed by a shorter service at the crematorium or cemetery. A short service like this is sometimes called a committal.
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Most people use a funeral director but you do not have to. When you are choosing a funeral director do ask for a full estimate of the whole cost in advance.
Further Information
If you would like to contact us, one of our celebrants can see you with no commitment on either side, so that you can discuss your wishes.
(Expenses might be requested if travelling is involved.)
Fees will vary depending on the type of service. One of our celebrants will be happy to discuss this with you directly or through your funeral director.
Our Hall is also available for hire for receptions following your ceremony.
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