The Good Funeral Awards reveal 2016’s winners

The winners of the Good Funeral Awards 2016 were announced on September 8, at the Porchester Hall in London.

Broadcaster and presenter, Penny Smith, presented an Anubis statue within a coffin-shaped box to the winners of 25 categories. Over 250 people attended the event, which celebrated the outstanding achievements of people who work with the deceased and bereaved.

The awards, which were sponsored by price comparison site Funeralbooker.com, featured a special ‘funeral cake’ from Annabel de Vetten of Conjurer’s Kitchen. Visitors received a three course meal with music entertainment from artists including Alison Jiear.

The 2016 winners of the Good Funeral Awards are:

Bridging the Gap Award:

A special award for the industry supplier doing most to move the funeral business forward:

• Julian Atkinson of J. C. Atkinson

Minister of the Year

• Revd. Canon Gill Behenna Chaplain among Deaf People in the Diocese of Bristol

Celebrant of the Year – sponsored by Civil Ceremonies Ltd

• Stevie Glover

Embalmer of the Year

• Andy Holder

Coffin Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Ecoffins)

• Musgrove Willows

Florist of the Year

• Debbie Western Flowers

Gravedigger of the Year

• David Homer of D. T. H. Burial & Churchyard Services

Cemetery of the Year

• Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery

Crematorium of the Year – sponsored by Scattering Ashes

• Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff

Best Internet Bereavement Resource

• Muchloved

Best Funeral Caterer

• Claret Catering

Best Alternative to a Hearse

• Respect Bentley

Best Green Funeral Product

• Brahms Electric Hearse

Most Significant Contribution to the Understanding of Death – sponsored by Final Fling

• Tamworth Co-operative Funeral service

Best Maker of Hand Carved Memorials in an Indigenous Material

• Stoneletters

Low Cost Funeral Provider of the Year

• Coulbert Family Funerals

Green Funeral Director of the Year – sponsored by The Association of Green Funeral Directors

• Higher Ground Family Funerals

Funeral Arranger of the Year

• Sarah Lee of Holmes & Family Funeral Directors

Most Promising New Funeral Director – sponsored by The Church of England

• Judith Dandy of Dandelion Farewells

Modern Funeral Director of the Year – sponsored by The Natural Death Centre

• A Natural Undertaking

Traditional Funeral Director of the Year – sponsored by A. R. Adams Funeral Directors

• Trevor E. W. Hickton Ltd.

Most Innovative Death Public Engagement Event 2016

• Bristol Culture

Mortuary Assistant of the Year (including Anatomical Pathology Technicians)

• Louise Milligan at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

Crematorium Assistant of the Year

• Steve Biggs at Mortlake Crematorium

Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Paula Rainey Crofts

• Nicholas Albery (awarded posthumously) and the Natural Death Centre Charity.

For more information on the Good Funeral Awards, or to learn how to attend in 2017, go to www.goodfuneralawards.co.uk.