Traveller 'king' is buried in 'six-figure' solid gold coffin after week-long farewell tour in Rolls Royce
By RUTH STAINER,
A traveller 'King' has been buried in a 'six-figure' solid gold coffin following a week-long farewell tour in a Rolls Royce.
Frank Thompson, who died aged 69 from a chest infection on July 2, was given an extravagant send-off by his devastated family who stopped off at a number of locations across Nottingham and Manchester.
And while his relatives insist that the patriarch was 'never a flash man', they have even commissioned a huge marble tomb which will take a year to construct around his coffin at a south London cemetery.
The six-figure coffin, described by an unnamed friend of the family as 'stupendous', was ordered by Mr Thompson's son from abroad and took weeks to arrive, with the traveller having passed away nearly a month before he was eventually laid to rest.
They added that the lavish burial was designed with the goal of showing the world that 'there are some really good gypsy travellers'.
While the successful businessman 'could have anything he wanted', the family friend continued: 'He was never a flash man, believe it or not.
'He'd be proud of what his sons did for him, and held him as, more than anything else.'
The friend declared that while Mr Thompson's loved ones had initially planned on simply giving him the 'best casket' on offer, the plans had subsequently got 'bigger and bigger'.
A traveller 'King' has been buried in a 'six-figure' solid gold coffin (pictured) following a week-long farewell tour in a Rolls Royce
Pictured: Frank Thompson shown on the front of a newspaper at his funeral service. The traveller businessman, who died aged 69 from a chest infection on July 2, was given an extravagant send-off by his devastated family
While Mr Thompson's relatives insist the patriarch was 'never a flash man', they have even commissioned a huge marble tomb which will take a year to construct around his coffin at a south London cemetery
The six-figure coffin, described by an unnamed family friend as 'stupendous', was ordered by Mr Thompson's son from abroad and took weeks to arrive
Pictured: Several Rolls-Royces lined up at Mr Thompson's funeral. The 69-year-old businessman was described as being 'the king' of his large traveller family
They added: '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.'
Mr Thompson sadly passed away on July 2, leaving behind his wife and children.
His heartbroken relatives embarked on the coffin tour in the luxury vehicle on July 23, travelling to numerous locations where Mr Thompson had ran businsesses and tarmac yards.
The large traveller family are also said to have visited various cemeteries where Mr Thompson's friends and family members had been buried.
Described as a 'businessman through and through' with great 'wisdom', Mr Thompson was eventually laid to rest on July 29.
The traveller was said to have encouraged many in his community to be both 'business-minded' and become known for 'having a nice life and making a good house for your family'.
Pictured: Mr Thompson's six-figure gold coffin. His heartbroken relatives embarked on the coffin tour on July 23, travelling to numerous locations where Mr Thompson had ran businsesses and tarmac yards, alongside to various cemeteries
A friend close to the family declared that while Mr Thompson's loved ones had initially planned on simply giving him the 'best casket' on offer, the plans had subsequently got 'bigger and bigger'
Described as a 'businessman through and through' with great 'wisdom', Mr Thompson was eventually laid to rest on July 29
Pictured: Mr Thompson's grave. His lavish burial was designed with the goal of showing the world that 'there are some really good gypsy travellers', a friend close to the family said
The traveller was said to have encouraged many in his community to be both 'business-minded' and become known for 'having a nice life and making a good house for your family'. He was described as a 'lovely man' with a 'heart of gold'
A golden plaque placed on Mr Thompson's tomb described him as 'a legend'
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Describing him as a 'lovely' man with a 'heart of gold', they added that the traveller patriarch would be remembered as having a 'heart of gold' with 'the best intentions for everyone'.
Prior to his illness, the 69-year-old was said to have had plans to build an orphanage for children abroad and had made donations to 'lots of children's charities'.
A successful businessman well known within the local community, Mr Thompson had gone on to expand his father's tarmacking company to several locations worldwide.
Following his tragic passing, both his son and the friend close to the family have taken over the business, with hopes of keeping the traveller's legacy alive.]
It comes after the brother of another 'traveller King' was buried next to Britain's biggest headstone, with a fleet of Rolls-Royces accompanying him on his final journey.
In October last year, Terry Collins was buried next to his brother Willy's 37-ton marble gravestone following his funeral service at St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Sheffield and a lavish procession to the cemetery.
The 52-year old was laid to rest in a platinum casket, which was carried into the church over a red carpet, alongside a giant photograph of Terry in a frame of poppies.
The traveller was said to have encouraged many in his community to be both 'business-minded' and become known for 'having a nice life and making a good house for your family'
It comes after the brother of another 'traveller King' was buried next to Britain's biggest headstone, with a fleet of Rolls-Royces accompanying him on his final journey. Terry Collins was buried next to his brother Willy's 37-ton marble gravestone in Shiregreen Cemetery, Sheffield
The 52-year old was laid to rest in a platinum casket, which was carried into the church over a red carpet, alongside a giant photograph of Terry in a frame of poppies
Pictured: the funeral procession of Willy Collins, dubbed the 'King of Sheffield'. The traveller was buried in a 22-carat gold coffin after a lavish funeral in which he was taken to his final resting place, the £200,000 marble headstone, in a horse drawn carriage
Mourners who attended the service wore t-shirts with a photograph of Terry with the caption: 'RIP Terry Collins 'The Toucher''.
The funeral procession was led by a silver Rolls Royce, complete with fluorescent lighting and some of his favourite songs playing.
Also parked outside the church were two large trucks, one with a spectacular floral tribute display in the shape of hearts and the other depicting Terry in a high-vis vest, part of his work uniform.
Terry died on September 25, four years after his brother Willy died while on while on a family holiday in Majorca, Spain at the age of 49 in July 2020.
The father-of-nine was a well-known member of the traveller community.
Willy, who was dubbed the 'traveller King of Sheffield' was buried in a 22-carat gold coffin after a lavish funeral in which he was taken to his final resting place, the £200,000 marble headstone, in a horse drawn carriage.
Pictured: Willy Collins who died while on while on a family holiday in Majorca, Spain at the age of 49 in July 2020. The father-of-nine was a well-known member of the traveller community
The monument was unveiled in March 2022 and features Irish flags and two life-sized statues of Willy. It sparked a row between the family and Sheffield City Council, who argued that the structure violated planning permissions
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Brother of the Traveller King is buried next to Britain's biggest headstone
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His cortege was led by people in velvet suits and crowns with a white funeral carriage being pulled by six plumed horses wearing yellow and blue feathers, 40 Rolls Royce cars and some bikers and vintage cars.
The £200,000 37-ton marble headstone was the subject of controversy as the council said it violated the planning permission.
The gravestone, which was unveiled in March 2022, features Irish flags and two life-sized statues of Willy. It also includes depictions of Jesus Christ and biblical scenes.
The monument is made of solid Carrara marble and features a solar-powered jukebox which plays the late Willy's favourite tunes, as well as flashing LED lights and a life size 6ft 2in statue of Willy himself.
It sparked a row between the family and Sheffield City Council, who argued that the structure violated planning permissions.
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