This morning I was looking at some stuff on eBay, and I happened to notice something that was a bit, um, how shall I say it, unusual. It was a saxophone urn…
Source: inthelighturns.com
The ad appeared as one of those suggestions that pop up from time to time in some eBay ads. When I clicked on the link I was taken to the website of In The Light Urns™ Cremation Urns, Jewelry and Keepsakes. There I found a form to fill out so that I could order my very own saxophone urn.
Besides having up to four lines of engraving I could fill out—and a choice of wide fancy or tall script—I was also informed that the urn volume was 250 cubic inches. Now I don’t how much space cremated human remains take up, so I was relieved to read further on down the page that it was indeed a “full sized urn”.
The company describes the urn as follows:
Description:
The Saxophone Wood Urn is a beautiful handmade poplar wood urn, part of the Forever Music Urn© Series of urns, and made in the USA. This miniature saxophone instrument is made with attention to the smallest detail and has a golden brass finish.
Size & Measurements:
The Saxophone Wood Urn measures 9″ x 9″ x 4″ is bottom loading and is a full sized urn.
Engraving Details:
Each urn has a choice of two laser engraving styles, choose either Tall Script or Wide Fancy which are finished with a gold fill for a sharp elegant contrast. Here is an example of what we can engrave:
In Loving Memory
Thomas “Tommy” Smith
April 23, 1945 – June 13, 2014
Beloved Husband, Father & FriendAdditional Features:
*Made in the USA
*Exclusive Music Urn Line
*Professionally Laser Engraved
The cost of this saxophone urn is $299.00. This got me thinking: I don’t want an alto saxophone adorning my urn box. Alto is my least favourite saxophone. Could I order this in a tenor, baritone, or bass version?
This got me thinking further, do I have some saxophone paraphernalia box or another that would make an appropriate urn? Mmm… Would cardboard do, or does it have to be wooden?
Then I had a brilliant idea… What about something metal: specifically a saxophone.
How to make your own real saxophone urn
- Take a saxophone and have all the keys soldered shut.
- Seal the bell off with a piece of metal as well.
- Place the ashes into the hollow tube.
- Solder the neck on, and seal the neck opening off with a piece of metal.
- Then just place the urn/horn in a sax stand and you’re all done.
- Optional: decorate the saxophone urn with festive lights and you’ll still be part of holidays even after you’re gone.
Disclaimer: This decoration is not a saxophone urn, rather just a wall decoration with festive Christmas lights. This 2003 holiday decor from our home in Fredericton, NB, is however, what inspired my idea for a real saxophone urn.
I don’t know how many cubic inches are available in the bores of alto, tenor, or baritone saxophones, but I bet that human remains could easily be contained in at least a tenor. Perhaps an alto could even hold a small adult. Most alto players also play soprano, so a person could have their ashes divided into two saxophones: an alto and soprano. Hey, it’s just a suggestion.
Maybe there is a use for all those horns on eBay yet: saxophone urns! Then they could actually be turned into something useful… Hey, I’m just saying… 🙂
Update: The more I think about this, the more I think this has some real potential.
@Doug: yes, definitely environmentally friendly.
@Theo: Given that the average North American is getting “bigger”, tubas are likely going to be a necessity. You wouldn’t want to waste bass saxophones as urns after all. 😈 Mind you, those POS Asian horns might be fine for that. 😉
Ha ha awesome idea ! So environmentally conscious …
Thanks for this idea Helen,
Now I now where to engrave “tuba or not tuba”.
PS, no plans for playing the tuba.