Prince's Ashes to Be Displayed 5 Years After His Death

Prince fans will have a once-off opportunity to pay their respects by visiting his ashes which will be on display at Paisley Park to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. 

The music icon's ashes were originally put on display at the suburban Minnesota compound shortly after his death in 2016 but were removed at the request of his family.  Now 1,400 people will be able to view them once again inside the venue on April 21. The day will be divided up into 70 slots of 30 minutes each, with 20 people per slot, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. There will be no regular day visits. 

"We celebrate his life and legacy every day at Paisley Park, a place that Prince wanted to share with the world," Paisley Park Executive Director Alan Seiffert said in a statement. "So, on this day especially, we acknowledge the incredible force and inspiration Prince is in people’s lives and open up our doors for them to pay their respects."

The removal of Prince's ashes from the main auditorium at Paisley Park caused a clash among family members, with some expressing outrage. 

"I'm very upset with this. I think one or two heirs approved the move," Sharon Nelson, the oldest of Prince's six surviving siblings, told Minneapolis Star Tribune at the time. "They claimed that people were getting too emotional and sad."

Nelson said fans and family alike should be able to access Prince's ashes. 

"I may want to go and sit and reminisce with him. Just like he went to the graveyard to see our mom and dad where they are," she said. "I felt the fans also wanted to be close and know that Prince was there. The other heirs want people to be happy at Paisley," she added. "You are happy, and you mourn, too."

Prince died at age 57 on April 21, 2016, from an accidental fentanyl overdose. 

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