Memorial body ink is not a new technique to the tattoo industry but has started to gain in popularity in recent months.

When you lose a family member or a close friend, it has become common practice to keep something that reminds you of them each day. This is often cremation ashes held in a small piece of jewellery, some wear the jewellery of their loved ones and others get a tattoo in memory of them.

Memorial tattoos have taken this to a whole new level. This method combines cremation ashes in the tattoo ink to have it permanently tattooed into the skin.

How does it work?

The cremated ashes are sifted to remove larger pieces until you are left with a fine dust. Some choose to bake the ashes beforehand as a form of sterilisation, however this is not necessary as all tattoo artists should sterilise the ashes again before beginning the tattoo.

The tattoo artists then takes a very small portion of the ashes and combines it with the tattoo ink and tattoos the final substance into the skin through a normal tattoo needle.

Is it safe?

There is nothing to prove this method is either safe or unsafe. But like anything, when you are putting a foreign substance into your body you run the risk of infection or your body rejecting it. However, it can be argued you take on the same risk getting any tattoo or piercing.

Be sure to question the methods of the tattoo artist willing to take this on. Ensure they sterilise the ashes before beginning the tattoo and more importantly that they make you aware of all the risks involved. We would always suggest consulting your doctor before going ahead with any unorthodox procedure of this kind.

Why is it growing in popularity?

Like anything word of mouth is a big factor in the growth of any new service. Similarly more and more tattoo artists are becoming comfortable with offering this type of tattoo. It came to RedINC Tattoo’s attention in a local article on TV actress Hannah Walters the star of Whitechapel, she recently had a memorial tattoo from her mothers ashes tattooed on her foot.

The popularity has also been driven by demand from customers looking for new ways make their tattoos more personal. In a previous article we discussed the growth of tattooing over scars and much like that growing trend, memorial tattoos have been born out innovative ways to combine tattoo art with a deeper meaning.

Where does RedINC stand?

Currently we do not offer this type of service at RedINC Tattoo, however it is something we have been discussing for a while and we wanted to know if you, our customers, would like to see this type of service become available.

If we were to introduce memorial tatooing it would be based on each individual tattoo artist and performed in this most hygienic environment.

Over to you INCers where you do stand on the ashes memorial tattoos debate?