They might become must-have items for some KISS aficionados and, surprisingly, have more uses than memorializing the deceased.
They are officially licensed caskets, cremation urns, bronze memorials, memorial prayer cards and candles, and pet cremation urns ? all emblazoned with the iconic rock band’s images.
Featured prominently of course, is lead singer Gene Simmons.
In fact, the pet cremation urns were Simmons’ idea, said Nick Popravsky, vice president of sales and distribution for Farmington Hills-based Eternal Image Inc. (OTC: ENTL).
The public company already designs, manufactures and markets officially licensed memorial products for Star Trek fans, the Vatican, Major League Baseball, and colleges and universities.
KISS will be the company’s first rock band, Popravsky said.
Eternal Image signed a private label agreement with the band known for its copious makeup, distinctive outfits and sometimes frightening stage antics.
The relationship between the band and Eternal Image evolved this year through talks with the band’s representatives and Simmons.
“We fleshed out the potential and it made more sense as it progressed,” Popravsky said.
Some of the memorial items will be manufactured in Eternal Image’s Canton Township facility.
Memorial products will be sold through Eternal Image’s normal channels of funeral homes and industry distributors and also on kissonline.com, which Popravsky said gets about one million hits a month.
“KISS fans are very loyal,” he said.
He added that the KISS caskets will have a variety of uses.
“I believe a lot of people will buy them and use them for ice chests for picnics.”
Source: crainsdetroit.com
