Farewell to Tony – An Inspiration to Us All 

  Evelyn and Julie from The Rose and The Lily Funeral Wares were honoured to have been commissioned by Tony Narracott in providing him with a cardboard coffin and creating his urn according to specific directions.

  Tony had already attended his funeral – his “Awakening” was an extravaganza of merriment and memories that was enjoyed by everyone, especially Tony. So when Tony passed from this earthly plane he saw no need to have another funeral.

  He died at home and his good friends Paul and Barry came and picked up his coffin which was from our “earthbeds” range and made entirely from recycled cardboard. Tony didn’t believe that a funeral director needed to be involved so his friends took his body to the crematorium while Zenith Virago, a local celebrant, helped with the paperwork.

  A few days later Tony’s son Andrew and Paul picked up his ashes from the crematorium and brought them to us. We had already started on the urn which was a football shape with a large jar inside to hold the ashes. Once the ashes were in place we completed the football shape sealing Tony’s ashes within.

  Tony had unfinished business with Byron Shire Council. He had been a keen campaigner for a bypass for many years and he wasn’t about to give up the fight when he died so we painted a design on the urn that would remind the council of Tony’s wishes. A large eye was painted near the top to represent Tony keeping an eye on the council from “above”. A map of the proposed bypass was painted in as well as some iconic symbols of Byron Bay such as the lighthouse and a whale.

  A street parade, complete with music and mourners, wended it’s way to the Railway Friendly Bar in Byron Bay with Andrew holding the urn aloft at the head of the procession.

The urn now sits above the bar at the Railway Hotel as a reminder to council that Tony hasn’t forgotten the bypass.

We’ll never forget Tony. What a legend!