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Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo Hero

Losing someone you love is a difficult experience. Finding ways to keep their memory alive can be a source of comfort. Memorial tattoos, also known as remembrance tattoos, have grown in popularity as a powerful way to honor the memory of a loved one.

Memorial tattoos are a permanent way to keep someone close to you even though they are no longer physically here. If you are interested in exploring this as a way to honor the memory of your loved one, plan this out carefully. A tattoo will be with you forever. So you'll want to ensure you'll be happy with it.

First, think about the person the tattoo will honor. Memories of your loved one may inspire your design and make it more personal. Next, you'll want to consider the placement of the tattoo. Some people choose to get a tattoo in a visible spot, while others prefer an area that is not visible.

Finally, you'll want to decide on your symbolic design. Ask family, friends, or tattoo artists for their insight and ideas. If you need inspiration, be inspired by this selection of themes, real-life designs, and additional resources below.

In Memory Tattoos Small

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Baby Hand holding Mom’s finger.” Source: SL
  2. “Initials with Angel Wings.” Source: Your Tango
  3. “Heart and initial on foot.” Source: Fattatts
  4. “We only part, to meet again.” Source: TattoosBag
  5. “Tattoo with ashes in the ink. Single Initial with Angel Wing.” Source: Tattoodo
  6. “Infinity symbol, Always.” Source: IdeaStand

In Loving Memory Tattoos

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “In loving memory name and heart.” Source: Pinterest
  2. “In loving memory,Wicked Wanda.” Source: RateMyInk
  3. “In loving memory draped cross.” Source: TattooNow
  4. “In loving memory angel wings.” Source: TattoosTime

Your Wings Were Ready Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with monarchs.” Source: Tattoodo
  2. “Your wings were ready but our hearts were not ready made tattoo design. Source: Etsy
  3. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with elephants and dates.” Source: Pinterest
  4. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with feather and birds.” Source: BeautyPic
  5. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with a hummingbird.” Source: The Baytown Project
  6. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with a butterfly.” Source: Pinterest
  7. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not with feather and birds.” Source: Pinterest

Forearm Memorial Tattoos

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Dad, stopwatch, hex, waves, celestial symbols with dates.” Source: troublesbrewintattoo
  2. “Ohana means family with a flower and dragonfly.” Source: Daotaonec
  3. “Dad with dates, a heart balloon, and a child.” Source: FindTattoosDesign
  4. “You were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye with a heartbeat.” Source: Stayglam
  5. “All my love forever and always signature tattoo.” Source: Dragonfly999
  6. “Dayan name tattoo with a little girl.” Source: Herway

Memorial Tattoos for Brother

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Brothers never let go with detached hands.” Source: The Style Up
  2. “My brother's keeper.” Source: WithTattoo
  3. “My brother’s keeper, for him I’d risk it all with clouds.” Source: TrendSpotter
  4. “Brother with an attached feather.” Source: TattoosBoyGirl

Memorial Tattoos for Sister

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Together or apart you are always in my heart with an infinity symbol. ” Source: The Trendspotter
  2. “Sister matching tattoos with roses.” Source: TattooSpot
  3. “Sister matching tattoos with little girls and can phones.” Source: The TrendSpotter
  4. “Outline of two sisters holding hands.” Source: Our Mindful Life
  5. “Sisters will always be connected by the heart with two girls.” Source: TattooDo

Memorial Tattoos for Grandpa

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Love Grand Dad signature tattoo.” Source: Twitter
  2. “Grandpa holding a fish with dates.” Source: TattooCloud
  3. “My grandpa taught me everything except how to live on without him with angel wings heart.” Source: LizTattoo
  4. “Grandpa in script with silhouettes.” Source: SachinTattooz

Simple Memorial Tattoos

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Always in my mind. Forever in my Heart." Source: Instagram
  2. “If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." Source: Pinterest
  3. “I will carry you with me ‘til I see you again." Source: Pinterest
  4. “Always in my mind. Forever in my heart." Source: Etsy
  5. “Your wings were ready, but my heart was not." Source: Pinterest

Memorial Tattoos for Dad

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Dad forever in my heart." Source: Pinterest
  2. “Dad gone fishing.” Source: Pinterest
  3. “Dad, you went away, we had to part, God eased your pain but broke my heart."
  4. “Rod to rod and heart to heart … Not even death can tear us apart."
  5. “In loving memory of my Papa."

In Memory of Tattoos for Mom

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Always kiss me goodnight. I will miss and love you forever, mom."
  2. “Mom 3.29.39 - 8.17.13” Source: Pinterest
  3. “You saw me take my first breath, I saw you take your last." Source: Pinterest
  4. “She lived and laughed and loved and left.”
  5. “Mom I will carry you with me til I see you again." Source: Pinterest

Memorial Tattoos for Grandma

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Grandma Pie” Source: Pinterest
  2. “Part of me went with you the day God took you home, Granny.” Source: Pinterest
  3. “Grandma 1928 - 2020" Source: Pinterest
  4. “Abuelita Always loved, never forgotten & sadly missed.”
  5. “Grandma, your name echoes in my heartbeat.”

Memorial Tattoo for Best Friend

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Best friends on Earth, make the best angels in heaven." Source: Pinterest
  2. “For you a thousand times over.”
  3. “We only part to meet again.”
  4. “I’m gonna miss that smile, I’m gonna miss you my friend.”
  5. “Together or apart you are always in my heart.” Source: Pinterest

Angel Memory Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “Forever in my heart."
  2. “In loving memory of Mommom."
  3. “Never in my arms, always in my heart."
  4. “She loved and was loved." Source: Pinterest
  5. “In loving memory."

Butterfly Memorial Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “I’m in a different place now…but really I’ll never leave the places that I’m from." Source: Pinterest
  2. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day."
  3. “Your wings were ready but my heart was not."
  4. “Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
  5. “Always with you. Love Mom" Source: Pinterest

Dog Memorial Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “This is not the end."
  2. “You were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye." Source: Pinterest
  3. “Until we meet again, Dixie." Source: Pinterest
  4. “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right here inside your heart.” Source: Pinterest
  5. “All dogs go to heaven."

Cat Memorial Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. Angelic cat. Source: Pinterest
  2. Angel cat with hearts. Source: Pinterest
  3. Twin angel cats. Source: Pinterest
  4. Angel cats and paw prints. Source: Pinterest
  5. Flying cat. Source: Pinterest

Memorial Paw Print Tattoo

Honor a Loved One With a Meaningful Memorial Tattoo
  1. “It’s been a long day without you, my friend. I‘ll tell you all about it, when I see you again." Source: Pinterest
  2. “In loving memory, Buddy." Source: Pinterest
  3. “Always with you." Source: Outsons
  4. “Your paws were ready but my heart was not." Source: Pinterest
  5. “A piece of me went with you."

Memorial Tattoo Ideas

  • Phrase: A clever or funny phrase can be a perfect way to memorialize a loved one.
  • Nicknames: Family and friends often have nicknames for each other. Nicknames can be a great way to honor someone that passed away.
  • Symbols: Throughout history, many icons have symbolized someone’s passing. Some examples of these icons are flowers, candles, stars, hearts, angel wings, hands, feet, paw prints, crying eyes, sunsets, military dog tags, and butterflies.
  • Inspirational Quotes: Quotes can capture the perfect sentiment of a relationship.
  • Poems: Be inspired by a verse from a favorite poem or a memorial poem.
  • Music: Look to a favorite song lyric, band, or musician. Lyrics from memorial songs can also spark an idea.
  • Books: A passage from a favorite childhood book or a modern classic can offer some inspiration.
  • Sports Teams: If your loved one was a superfan of a football, baseball, hockey, or basketball team, consider a helmet, jersey, or mascot as a tribute.
  • Flags: Flags can commemorate a veteran or someone who was patriotic. They can also symbolize the love an immigrant had for his/her country of origin.
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