Thread: Ned Kelly buried in an axe box

I had this discussion with a few mates the other day as any internet search doesn't shed any light. We came to the conclusion that Ned had a paupers funeral therefore the coffin was built on the cheap. Because of this, the coffin looked like an axe box, hence the name.

I don't think Ned had a feneral as such

As I understand it, after execution the corpse was burried under the flagstones in the gaol yard. I don't think I've ever seen a reference to a coffin being used for these burrials. I think the gaolor's attitude was more akin to burrying rubbish.
Ned's and other bodies were dug up and moved to another location within Pentridge 30 or 40 years after his execution when the original "disposal" site was wanted for another purpose. It possible that at that time, Ned's bones were put in an axe box. Based on the size of box I see holding axes at wood chopping events, a person's bones, minus the skull, would easily fit in one.