Lyra McKee’s sister has said labels should become meaningless.

The journalist, 29, was gay and non-sectarian.

She lived in a Northern Ireland where same-sex marriage is outlawed and division exists between nationalist and unionist politicians.

Nichola Corner told mourners at her funeral it was time to get to work.

She said: “We have the power to create the kind of society that Lyra envisioned.

“One where labels are meaningless.

Lyra McKee funeral
Nichola Corner told mourners at her funeral it was time to get to work (Brian Lawless/PA)

“One where every single person is valued.

“One where every single child gets the chance to grow up and to make their dreams come true.

“This is Lyra’s legacy that we must carry forward, this is the gift that God gave the world on the 31st of March 1990.

“And we are all responsible for helping God’s will to be fulfilled, each and every one of us.

“In the words of Lyra herself, we must change our own world one piece at a time, now let’s get to work.”

She said her sister was looking forward to a new life with her partner.

Ms McKee was planning to get engaged and wanted to marry Sara Canning in the Irish Republic in 2022.

Mrs Corner said: “Lyra did not just meet the love of her life, she introduced (me) to a new sister and expanded our family.”

She added: “We are so pleased that Lyra lived the last few months of her life happily and looking forward to a new life with Sara.

“They made each other very happy and we shared their joy.”

Ms McKee put everyone else first and was a kind, gentle and loving person that the world will not forget, her sister told mourners.