My first experience of a Humanist ceremony was at the funeral of my stepmother’s father. I was so impressed by how vivid a picture was painted of the man and his life, and how personal his eulogy was. Soon after my dad married his partner of 25 years, and this too was a Humanist ceremony; again, I was impressed by how humorous, personal and touching this ceremony was.
Following some research into Humanism, it was clear to me that its central tenets chime with my own values and how I seek to live my life: with compassion for others, a focus on the beauty and the joy to be found, and always among family and friends.
I have been fortunate enough to undertake my funeral training with our wonderful wee organisation here, and I believe firmly that every life deserves to be commemorated and celebrated with empathy and warmth. It is always such an honour and a privilege to be involved with a family at such an important time for them. I also undertook my wedding training soon after this, and it’s been such an interesting and exciting ride marrying couples in every conceivable corner of Scotland. Whether it’s on top of a mountain, at the side of a loch, or in a country house, pub or castle, each ceremony is such a different and uniquely beautiful experience, and it’s always so much fun being involved!
Having studied for an MSc in Publishing, and being a keen writer, I endeavour to make every ceremony a unique and personal experience. Whether it’s the celebration of a life, or the celebration of love and marriage, it’s important to me that everyone I work with and for is represented with compassion, personality and warmth.
Based in Edinburgh, but with a tendency to spend most of my free time out among the mountains and landscapes of Scotland, I’m happy and eager to travel to any part of Scotland for your wedding ceremony, and any part of the central belt to conduct a funeral service.
I can be contacted any time on 07794874318 or at ashton@humanistassociationscotland.com or ashton.easter83@gmail.com
Wedding Testimonials
Jess and Ryan’s mountain top wedding in Glencoe was so much fun to be involved with,
and just such a beautiful day.“Hi Ashton,
Thank you so much…we really enjoyed our day and are so glad that you were part of it. Our Celebrant camping on top of the mountain after the ceremony was very much in the spirit of the day and is a great story to tell. And thank you so much for sticking around for both parts of the ceremony.
Good luck with the ‘mountain-top Celebrant’ marketing. I’m not sure how many couples will want a hiking wedding like us, but if there are many more of us out there you might be onto something special.”
Jess and Ryan
“Hi Ashton, we just wanted to thank you for making our day so special, you did a fantastic job and we are truly grateful.Thanks again,”
Morag and David
“Ashton, thank you so much for today!
This whole journey has been so incredible and special and we couldn’t have wished for a better celebrant and ceremony!! You’ve been so amazing with us, and you will certainly always have an amazing place in our memories; we hope to keep in touch in future. You and your girlfriend are always welcome to Chester, anytime you want!
In the meantime we wish you all the absolute best and thank you with all our hearts.”
Alessandra and Tom
“Hi Ashton
Just wanted to say a huge thanks for our ceremony. You were awesome. I had the most amazing day and a lot of that was down to you Ashton.
Huge Thank You”
Natasha and Denis. X
Funeral Testimonials
“Lots of complimentary comments about the funeral, people particularly mentioning it was full of warmth”
Thanks Bruce
“We would like to thank you most sincerely for presiding at the recent Funeral Service for my late Mother, Mrs Shelagh Bruce. It was a pleasure to meet you at Timberbush to discuss my Mother’s long and somewhat eventful life, and we are grateful for the time and effort you subsequently put in to compose the excellent tribute which you read at the Service. Many of those who attended commented on how nice the Service was, and it certainly helped us deal with her loss at that sad time.”
With kind regards, Ros and Hugh Nicol
“Hi Ashton,
On behalf of my whole family I’d like to thank you for the way you conducted the Ceremony and Eulogy yesterday. A lot of people asked if you had actually met my mum as your presentation was so personal.
It was an emotional day for everyone, as you can imagine, but you helped us through it with the perfectly timed delivery. It was great to hear the people behind us chuckling away at the humorous anecdotes about my mum’s life. Exactly how we and my mum would have wanted her to be remembered.”
Kindest regards, Andy Kerr
“Dear Ashton, Just to say thanks very much for the lovely service last Tuesday. It was the perfect day and I couldn’t have wished for anything better for my Dad. If felt like you became part of the family and I’ll never forget that and I’ll definitely think of you next time it’s snowing! All the best for the future and thanks again for the great work you do.”
Ainan Groat