Your Cremated Remains Can Now be Pressed Into a Vinyl Record

Cremated ashes can now be converted into a vinyl record, thanks to a company called Vinyly.

The service, which converts the ashes of the deceased into a finished, vinyl record, starts at £3,000, or roughly $4,315. That includes 12 minutes of audio per side that can include final words and memories, licensed music, or simple popping and cracking to ‘hear’ the ashes.

From there, buyers (either the pre-deceased or surviving loved ones) can choose a number of different configurations. Jackets can include portraits created by James Hague or Paul Insect, complete with important details like date of birth, date of death, and vinyl stickers. Additionally, Vinyly will happily add pre-licensed loops or even customized music for additional costs.

“Live on from beyond the groove!”

Vinyly, which offers the service for ‘people, parts of people, or pets,’ has been offering the service for several years. That could be perfect timing, especially with vinyl sales absolutely booming amidst a serious nostalgia revival (in both the UK and US).

The UK-based Vinyly takes a rather lighthearted approach to a sombre moment, though the company also underscores its seriousness throughout. “When the album that is life finally reaches the end, wouldn’t it be nice to keep that record spinning for eternity?” the site implores. “We offer you the chance to press your ashes in a vinyl recording your loved ones will cherish for generations. Live on from beyond the groove!”

The buyer can be someone knocking on death’s door. Surviving friends and family members can view the pressing themselves, which involves sprinkling ashes into the involved plate creation and pressing process. Survivors can then determine where the record (or records) are placed. Vinyly even offers to coordinate the funeral for an extra £10,000 (roughly $14,400).

Behind the strange concept is Jason Leach, who founded the EDM group and label Subhead back in the 90s. Since that point, Leach has started a number of other label ventures, including the aptly-titled Death to Vinyl. The idea for Vinyly came from Leach’s own experience with the cremation of his own relatives, as well as his family’s involvement in funereal services.

Image by asboluv, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC by 2.0).