Launceston mourns the death of homeless man, Daniel Tommerup

Mr Tommerup, 51, died last week, after he caught fire while cooking food outside Milton Hall on Frederick Street.

Attended by members of Launceston's street community, service providers and those who had resonated with the homeless man's story, the funeral was a celebration of a "scallywag" whose life was fractured by mental illness and substance abuse.

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"The number of people here is testament to how loved and respected Daniel was by people from all over Launceston," City Baptist Church Pastor Jeff McKinnon said.

"Daniel touched peoples' hearts and had many friends from across the globe."

Mr Tommerup was a loved member of Launceston's street community, and Pastor McKinnon spoke of the community's grief at his death.

"I know how loved Daniel was by all of you," he said.

"You are not related by blood, but you are family."

The service was attended virtually by Mr Tommerup's son Joshua, who was watching a livestream from his home in Finland.

The father and son had recently reconnected in the last few months after years of estrangement and had begun to speak regularly over FaceTime.

"His eyes would light up when he spoke with his son, it was so precious to him" Street Chaplin Stephen Avery said.

"His sole purpose in continuing in this life, was to hug his son Joshua one last time," Mr Avery said.

Sadly, it was not to be.

Daniel Tommerup is survived by his parents, sisters Sue and Jennifer, and son, Joshua.

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