How to Buy a Cryonic Chamber

We know what you're thinking: Cryonic freezing--preserving recently deceased humans in the hope that they may be revived in the future through new, undiscovered medical technologies--is for wackos and megalomaniacs. Since you can't take your money with you, why not bet your life insurance policy on a long shot?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Contact the nonprofit Alcor Life Extension Foundation (alcor.org), the world's largest provider of cryonics services with more than 580 active suspension members.
2. Choose from two cryonic suspension options: Neuro-suspension, which is the head only ($50,000), or whole body suspension ($120,000). An additional $25,000 surcharge is applied for international applicants ($15,000 for United Kingdom residents).
3. Complete the membership application and pay the $150 sign-up fee and $398 for annual dues. Sign Alcor's legal membership documents in the presence of two witnesses.
4. Die on your own. There is no legal precedent anywhere in the world allowing a cryonic procedure to take place prior to death.

What to Look For:

• Alcor Web site
• Cryonic suspension type
• Membership fees and dues

Tips & Warnings

• "Minimum time at the lowest possible temperature" is the rule of thumb for transporting a corpse to the Alcor facility for cryonic treatment.
• Cryonic suspension fees are often covered by term, whole or universal life insurance policies.