What if “Go Put Your Records On” had a whole new meaning? What if instead of just playing music, it meant hanging out with your dead grandparents?
That’s the idea behind the UK company And Vinyly’s latest product. People can leave their ashes behind to be pressed into a vinyl record, with a complete recording of their voice, will, or favorite song.
Yeah, it’s weird. And with a slogan like “From beyond the groove,” you know they’re really into their product.
Would you want your ashes left for your loved ones in the form of a vinyl record? I’m not sure if that’s even a good idea. Firstly, it’s kind of arrogant to assume people will want to listen to you on a record, isn’t it? What if, by the time you die, there’s not even anyone left who cares to do so? (A depressing thought, sure, but there you have it!) What if, by the time you die, there are no record players left on Earth? That’s always possible.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to do this, but I’m sure plenty of people—especially music lovers—will pay to have this done. People have paid for crazier things, of course; here are some other favorite options for dealing with your remains once you’ve left this mortal coil:
- Be made into jewelry, such as diamonds or other precious gemstones, by pressing them or mixing them in with gold and glass (then you can wear your dead loved ones, literally keeping them close to your heart)
- Have your ashes sent into the atmosphere—staying close to home by being shot off with fireworks, or going where most people have never gone before, into space
- Be crushed into a coral reef, helping restore other coral reefs (I’d absolutely love to do this myself, actually, but it starts at a whopping $4,000; of course, if you get mixed up in a “co-op” type of reef—which can include pets!—it’s lest costly)
- Get yourself made into a bunch of pencils—the human body can be made into about 200 of them—and have them distributed amongst your family and friends for some macabre inspiration while writing or sketching
- A sculpture, painting, blown-glass figurine, or other piece of art can be made by mixing your dusty ashes into the medium
- Get stuffed into a teddy bear, leaving yourself behind for all of the future progeny of your children and theirs
Do you have any strange, exotic, or simply “different” plans for your remains? What are they? What are the strangest ones you’ve heart about?