The head of a well-regarded traveller family was buried in a ‘six-figure solid gold’ coffin, with relatives declaring that ‘money is no object’.
Following Frank Thompson’s death at 69 from a chest infection, a family friend revealed: “The full family got involved to give him the best possible send off.” They claim to have bought a ‘solid gold coffin’ and organised a Rolls Royce to carry it on a week-long farewell journey through locations across Manchester and Nottingham.
The tour included spots where Frank had run businesses and tarmac yards, plus graveyards where his loved ones were buried.
A friend disclosed they have also ordered a massive marble tomb to be built around his coffin, which will require a year to complete, at his resting place in a south London cemetery, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The friend explained they provided such a lavish farewell for industrious Frank to demonstrate to the world “there are some really good gypsy travellers”.
The family friend, who refused to disclose the precise amount, stated: “The casket is solid gold. His son ordered it from abroad. The cost was stupendous – six figures.
“It took weeks to arrive. He’d passed away for nearly a month before we could lay him to rest.”
He continued: “It got bigger and bigger as it was happening. First we wanted to do the best casket, then it got to discussing materials for the casket. Then we realised, we don’t have to put him underground – we can do a tomb.
“We’re from a very big gypsy traveller background. He was the head of a very big family, the king of the family – everyone looked up to him.
“The majority of travellers are known for going to the gym, fighting, getting into trouble.
“But Frank taught so many of them to be business-minded and to make a name for yourself by having a nice life and making a good house for your family. So we thought, we want to show there are some really good gypsy travellers, we’re not all about fighting and causing trouble.”
Entrepreneur Frank expanded his father’s tarmacking enterprise to multiple sites across the nation.
They explained: “Frank started off door to door selling driveways, and he built it up doing really nicely, legitimate work. Now, me and Frank’s son run the business.
“He donated a lot to children’s charities, and before he got sick he wanted to build an orphanage for children abroad.
“He was never a flash man, believe it or not. He could have anything he wanted but he’s not flash. He’d be proud of what his sons did for him, and held him as, more than anything else.
“He was lovely, he had a heart of gold. He had the best intentions for everyone.
“He’s made a lot of men clever today with his wisdom, he’s a businessman through and through.”
He passed away on July 2, leaving behind his wife and children.
The tour of the coffin commenced on July 23 and he was finally laid to rest on July 29.
The marble tomb is currently under construction around the coffin and it’s anticipated to be completed in about a year.
