Vinyl Records From Ashes: Cost, Process and Audio Rules

A cremation vinyl record is a playable record pressed with a small amount of cremated remains. The England-based company And Vinyly says it needs about one teaspoon of ashes per record and quotes £1,000 to £3,000 for a bespoke record. It says delivery takes 3 to 5 weeks once it has your audio, artwork and ashes.

This is a keepsake, not a way to handle the body. The cremation and the legal paperwork come first, and the record is made from a small portion of the ashes afterward.

How is a record made from ashes?

According to And Vinyly, the records are real vinyl made with traditional production methods and specialist in-line processes. The audio is mastered and cut onto lacquer discs, one for each side, and metal plates made from the lacquers press hot vinyl so the grooves are impressed in the finished record. The company says about one teaspoon of ashes goes into each record.

The company offers 12-inch and 7-inch records and says a 12-inch side holds about 18 to 22 minutes of audio. It accepts AIFF, WAV and MP3 files and other formats on request. Uncompressed files such as WAV or AIFF generally give the best sound, so send the highest quality copy you have.

Some people plan their own record while alive. And Vinyly says you can receive a playable record first, before any ashes are pressed.

How much does a vinyl record from ashes cost?

And Vinyly says each record is bespoke and costs between £1,000 and £3,000 (or local equivalent). Check the current exchange rate if you are paying in another currency. The company explains that most of the cost is in preparing and making the components, so there is little difference between one record and ten. It says you can reduce the price by choosing single-sided audio or a plain sleeve in place of printed artwork.

Prices and terms are the company's own and can change. Ask for a written quote that lists what is included. If you would like a keepsake that costs less, compare it with cremation jewelry, ashes into glass and ashes into diamonds.

What audio should you put on a memorial record?

The record holds a limited amount of sound, so choose carefully.

• The voice: a recording of the person telling a story, reading a favorite poem or passing on advice.
• Family sound: laughter, a holiday dinner, a voicemail they left you.
• Place: waves at a favorite beach or birdsong in a garden.
• Music you own the rights to: a recording by a family member or a friend who plays.

Commercial songs and recordings are protected by copyright. U.S. law has a licensing system for making and distributing records of musical works, and pressing copies normally needs permission from the rights holders. Rules and rights differ for compositions and recordings and in other countries, so ask the company what it will accept before you plan the audio. Spoken word and family recordings avoid the problem.

What will it sound like?

It plays like a record. The company's own site refers to "pops and crackles", which is typical of vinyl, so expect some surface noise. Ask the company for a sample and for any advice on playing and storing the record.

Store a record upright, away from heat and sunlight, in its sleeve. Warping can ruin playback, and ordinary vinyl care applies.

Practical questions before you order

• Is the ash amount a problem? One teaspoon is a very small share of an adult's remains, which the Cremation Association of North America says average four to six pounds, so most of the ashes are still available for an urn or scattering. See what to do with ashes.
• Does the family agree? Dividing ashes can be sensitive, and some faiths ask that remains stay together. Talk with relatives and your clergy first.
• How will you send the ashes? Within the U.S., cremated remains can go only by USPS Priority Mail Express, in a sealed, sift-proof container packed in its cremated remains box. International mail is allowed only when the destination country permits it. Follow the company's instructions and check the rules first. If you fly with ashes, see the TSA container rules in flying with ashes.
• Can a funeral director help? And Vinyly says arrangements can be coordinated through funeral directors. Ask yours whether it has worked with a provider.

What to do next

1. Decide whether you want a voice, a place or music, and gather recordings in the highest quality you have.
2. Ask the company for a written quote, timeline and shipping instructions, and confirm what audio rights it needs.
3. Ask the funeral home or crematory to set aside a teaspoon of ashes in a labeled container.
4. Read our cremation memorials guide if you are still deciding between keepsakes.