Monday, May 9, 2011

Memorial Tattoos




There are countless ways to handle the grief of losing a loved one. Some of us write poetry to read at the funeral service. Others deliver a eulogy telling what the person meant to them in life. Colleges and universities benefit from memorial donations in the name of a deceased friend or relative. There are also elaborate tombstones, shrines, and personal tributes that take many forms. I was not aware of the many people who get personalized tattoos. Some of these tattoos are simple, having only the name of the deceased. Others add the birth and death date, and the more artistically inclined ask for a picture or some elaborate artwork. These tattoos run in size from inch long names to some that cover an arm or leg, or perhaps the entire back. Some of them are beautiful, some less so, but I was surprised at a news story that told of taking this to the next step. If you really want something personal, there are tattoo artist who specialize in combining the ashes from a cremation with tattoo ink. Rather than casting the contents of the urn into the sea or on a mountainside, you can have the deceased up close and personal—under your skin, so to speak. Click on the title of this article and it will carry you to a website that will tell you more.


.

5 comments:

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Interesting idea! Would fit in well with a mystery novel. Robert Parker's Painted Ladies which I just finished reading used a concentration camp tattoo as a clue
in the novel.

Jacqueline Seewald
THE TRUTH SLEUTH, Five Star/Gale
coming May 18, 2011

Pauline said...

I don't want to know more! =8-0 Tattoo: permanent reminder of a temporary emotion.

fBetty Gordon said...

Joe, you won't find me doing this. YIKES! Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe. Ewwww! (but interesting too--thanks) I just may see if it leads to as idea, perhaps for a poem or a flash piece.

Unknown said...

Hi Joe, just finished reading Abraham's Bones. It was great, wondering if you are planing a sequel. Would like for you to speak to my book club when it meets in my
home. Gloria Jackson Coln, classmate
of 57.