Guitarist Inlays Father’s Ashes Into Fretboard as Heartfelt Tribute -

Over the years, we’ve seen some truly creative ways people keep the memory of loved ones alive ashes turned into tattoos, vinyl records, elegant glass stones, and more.

Now, a touching new story from England has captured hearts: A heavy metal guitarist has infused his father’s ashes directly into the fretboard of his guitar ensuring his dad is with him at every show.

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A Final Tribute That Rocks 🎶

Mark Wood, a 37-year-old guitarist from the UK, learned to play the guitar from his dad, Keith, a retired school teacher. Keith wasn’t just Mark’s teacher he was his biggest fan. He’d travel hundreds of miles to see his son perform, often ending the night with a pint and a catch-up.

Sadly, Keith passed away from a heart attack on Christmas Day in 2022, at the age of 68, leaving a deep hole in their close-knit family of four.

While Mark’s sister chose to turn some of their father’s ashes into jewelry, Mark had a more personal idea.

“I wanted something that would keep him close to me on stage,” he said. “Something that felt like part of the music.”

That’s when inspiration struck: the fretboard of his Fender Telecaster.

Turning Ashes Into Inlays ✨

The small dots that mark out notes on a guitar neck are usually made of mother-of-pearl or plastic. But for Mark, they became something far more meaningful.

He reached out to his friend Sam Orr, who runs Sam’s Guitars in Cheshire. Sam mixed Keith’s ashes with a special resin and carefully replaced the original inlays with ones made from the mixture.

“At first, I was just wondering how it would work,” Sam told the BBC. “But after a few tests on a spare guitar neck, I realized we could definitely do this. We put on some music, had a couple of beers, and made a thing of it.”

Mark added, “Sam did all the work while the shop was closed. He was so caring and respectful the whole time.”

Playing Again With Dad By His Side ❤️

It took Mark a little while before he felt ready to pick up the modified guitar. But when he finally did, he played “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent a favorite of his father’s and the first song Keith ever taught him.

“I wish dad was still here,” Mark said. “But doing this makes me feel like he’s always going to be with me. You’ve always got your memories… and now, he’ll be with me at all my shows.”

He described the process as healing: “It’s given me a real sense of closure.”