Priest’s award

The Rev Juliet Stephenson has been awarded Funeral Celebrant of the Year at the Good Funeral Awards.

Ms Stephenson, of Church of the Holy Nativity, New-castle-upon-Tyne, was the only Church of England vicar amongst the 11 nominees.

She said that the award shows the level of respect the funeral industry holds for the Church of England and the importance of good relationship with funeral directors.

“Being a vicar, a huge amount of my time is spent with families coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. I do just what every other Church of England vicar does: I get alongside, I listen, I help them celebrate and I help them cry.

“All of this is done whilst holding their story within the greater story of God and the hope of salvation,” she said.