Prince’s Final Resting Place: See the First Photos of the Bejeweled Urn Modeled After the Late Singer’s Paisley Park Estate
Article originally published by: People.com
In life, Paisley Park was Prince‘s spiritual center. The Minnesota estate was a reflection of the man himself—flamboyant, filled with music, and utterly one-of-a-kind. So it’s only fitting that his remains continue to reside in his beloved home.
When Paisley Park opened its doors as a museum last Thursday, many fans were surprised to discover that the late singer’s ashes were on display in an elaborate custom-designed urn co-designed by Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson and nephew President Nelson.
PEOPLE can exclusively share photos and details of Prince’s final resting place, which is a touching tribute to the musical great.
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Tyka and President teamed up with Foreverence artists to create a scale-model of Paisley Park, measuring 14 inches high and 18 inches long, decorated with Prince’s famous symbol—done in purple, naturally. The ceramic and glass piece is covered by seven iridescent crystals that were chosen by Tyka, who placed the final jewel in the piece herself.
The facade opens to reveal a miniature replica of Paisley Park’s grand atrium, including the singer’s signature purple Yamaha piano, white ornamental doves and decorative tile floor. The interior even includes real working lights.
“Foreverence has helped hundreds of families tell the stories of their loved ones lives through individually designed, 3D printed, ceramic cremation urns and memorials,” Pete Saari, CEO and founder of Foreverence tells PEOPLE. “Through conversation, photographs and sketches, we arrive at what is the most appropriate and meaningful expression of a person’s life and legacy. We then design and manufacture the perfect memorial.”
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect memorial for the Purple One, who lived an unapologetically bold, flashy and extravagant existence. While it’s difficult to sum up a life in a single object, Paisley Park is perhaps the closest fans will get. It was his studio, his sanctuary, and—most importantly—his home. It was where so much music began, and where it all suddenly stopped on Apr. 21. It tells his unforgettable story—which is what Foreverence wanted when working with Tyka and President.
“We hear amazing stories on a daily basis, not just from celebrities, but from every day people,” Saari continues. “Like the family of a design engineer from NASA who wanted an urn in the shape of the space shuttle he helped design, and the author from Missouri who’s wanted to memorialize her partner with an urn in the shape of the book she hadn’t fully finished. It’s one amazing story after another.”