Humanist confirmation in Norway: what it is and how to plan it

What is humanist confirmation in Norway?

Humanist confirmation is a secular alternative for young people around 14–15 who want to mark the step toward adulthood without religious content. It is organised by the Norwegian Humanist Association (Human-Etisk Forbund, or HEF). At its core is a course that prepares the teenagers for adult life through conversation and reflection, rather than religious instruction.

'Borgerlig' here means life-stance-neutral, not tied to any religion. You do not need to be a member of the Humanist Association to register, and the confirmation involves no declaration of faith. It suits families of differing beliefs or none, and young people who want an alternative to the church.

• Run by the Norwegian Humanist Association (Human-Etisk Forbund / HEF)
• Life-stance-neutral: no declaration of faith and no religious content
• Open to everyone regardless of belief – you do not need to be a member to take part

Humanist vs. church confirmation

The biggest difference lies in the content of the course and ceremony. Church confirmation is religious instruction run by the Church of Norway (or another faith community) and is built on the Christian faith. Humanist confirmation is life-stance-neutral and grounded in humanist values such as human rights, ethics and critical thinking – without assuming any belief.

From the outside, the occasion itself is very similar: both end in a formal ceremony, the young people are celebrated, and the family gathers for a party afterwards. The choice is mainly about which content and outlook your family identifies with, not about how big the celebration will be.

• Content: church builds on Christian faith – humanist on ethics, life stances and human rights
• Organiser: the Church of Norway / a faith community versus the Humanist Association
• Shared: both have a preparatory course, a formal ceremony and a family party afterwards

Registration and course: how to prepare

Registration usually opens the autumn before the confirmation year, often between September and November, through the Humanist Association's website. Places fill up in some areas, so it pays to sign up early. The course carries a course fee, which is lower for members of HEF than for non-members; it is adjusted each year, so check the current amount when you register.

The course runs across the winter and spring with several gatherings. Topics typically include ethics and morality, different life stances, human rights, critical thinking and making your own choices – delivered as conversation and activities rather than tests. The aim is to give the young people a foundation for thinking independently about values and choices as they move toward adulthood.

• Registration: usually the autumn before (often Sept–Nov) via the Humanist Association – sign up early
• Course fee: lower for HEF members than non-members, and adjusted yearly – check the amount when registering
• Content: several gatherings through winter/spring on ethics, life stances, human rights and critical thinking

The ceremony and the celebration

The course ends in a formal ceremony, usually in May or June. It is often held in a cultural venue, a town hall or another secular hall – not in a church – and typically includes music, a speech, readings and a moment where each confirmand is greeted in front of family and friends. The ceremony is dignified and moving, but without religious elements.

After the ceremony, most families celebrate with a party at home or in a hired venue, just as with church confirmation: food, speeches, cake and gifts. The celebration itself follows no special rules – it looks like any other confirmation, and is just as much a family day.

• Ceremony: usually May/June, often in a cultural venue or town hall with music, speech and readings – no religious elements
• Each confirmand is greeted in front of family and friends
• The celebration afterwards mirrors any confirmation: a party with food, speeches, cake and gifts

Plan the confirmation day in Zenframe

When the course and ceremony are run by the Humanist Association, the party afterwards is what you plan yourselves. In Zenframe Events (zenframe.no/event) you keep the whole day in one place: a guest list with RSVP via a shared link, so relatives and friends can reply without creating an account, a budget for food, venue and cake, and tasks leading up to the day.

If you want to send an invitation that suits the occasion, you can create one in Zenframe Invite (zenframe.eu) and connect the replies to your guest list. On the day itself, a programme – welcome, food, speeches, cake – keeps the party flowing so no part is forgotten.

• Guest list and RSVP via a shared link – guests reply without logging in
• Budget and tasks for the post-ceremony party kept in one place
• Invitation via Zenframe Invite (zenframe.eu) and a day's programme that keeps the celebration flowing

Quick tips for humanist confirmation

• Register early in the autumn – places fill up in some areas before Christmas.
• Check the member price with the Humanist Association: the course fee is lower for members.
• Note the May/June ceremony date early so you can plan the party around it.
• Talk with the teenager about the kind of celebration they want – it is their day.
• Plan the guest list and budget for the party before you send out invitations.

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