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Prince’s Paisley Park burial urn: Eden Prairie artists share details

by Jay Gabler

October 07, 2016

The biggest revelation when Paisley Park opened for tours yesterday was that the studio has become Prince's final resting place: his cremated remains reside in the venue's atrium, in an urn that resembles a miniature Paisley Park.

Beyond the surprise and awe, visitors had questions: how was the urn designed? Who made it? Details have now emerged, via a press release from the Eden Prairie firm that created the urn in collaboration with Prince's family.

Foreverence is an Eden-Prairie-based company that specializes in creating custom burial urns. Among their previous products: an urn for the late Bob Casale shaped like his signature Devo hat, an Ace of Spaces hat for Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister, and a megaphone for Scott Weiland. Foreverence is led by Peter Saari, who's quickly risen to national fame as 3D printer of urns for the stars.

"The artist’s sister and nephew, Tyka and President Nelson, collaborated with Foreverence artists and craftspeople on an original concept that symbolized the Prince’s home, recording studio and sanctuary," according to the press release. It continues:

Made of ceramic and glass and measuring 19” x 18” x 14,” the urn features several distinctive elements that reflect the artist’s personality. Tyka Nelson hand‐selected seven iridescent crystals – representing the artist’s favorite number – to be part of the urn design and placed the final jewel in the piece herself. The urn opens up to reveal lighting and scale‐model details from Paisley Park, including the main atrium, Prince’s famous purple Yamaha piano and white ornamental doves.

No photography (except for VIP posed pics) is permitted on the Paisley Park tours. Photos of the urn have now been shared, via People.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.