A STUDLEY based funeral celebrant has triumphed at this year's hotly contested Good Funeral Awards in London

Originally selected from hundreds of nominees, Justine Wykerd won Celebrant of the Year.

She said: “I was genuinely surprised to hear my name called out as the winner.

Yes this award is lovely, and it is wonderful to be recognised - but the thanks must really go the families that have entrusted the memories of their loved ones to me.

"To be ‘their voice’ and help them celebrate a life in a way that they, or their loved one choose, is a great privilege."

The Good Funeral Awards are now in their sixth year and recognise excellence in the world of funerals, rewarding the best funeral directors and all associated services that are involved in creating memorable funerals.

Wholly independent of the funeral industry, the awards are supported by consumer advocates the Good Funeral Guide and the Natural Death Centre.

Brian Jenner, co-organiser of the event, said: “The Good Funeral Awards recognise all those unsung heroes who work so hard for the bereaved and whose role can so easily be overlooked. Some of the nicest people in Britain work in the funeral business.”