25+ Amazing Memorial Tattoo Designs

All except the most lucky among us have lost someone very close to us across our lifetimes. And while memories will fade, we will never forget just how special that someone was to us.  Memorial tattoos remind us that us loved ones are always with us, no matter where we go, and that we’ll never forget them.

When it comes to losing a loved one, a pet or a family member – many people opt for a memorial tattoo to honor their memory. While these types of tattoos can be dedicated to friends, family members, fallen soldiers or even pets, there are plenty of unique ideas that you can utilize into your tattoo design that can really grab the concept of how much that loved one meant to you. The elements that you place in a memorial tattoo do not always have to symbolize death and loss. In fact, they can do just the opposite. Many individuals use this art form to honor their loved ones with tattoo design elements that symbolize the life of their loved one instead.

Of course, elements such as angel wings, angel bodies, saints or religious elements are some of the most popular memorial tattoo design elements, there are a variety of different ways to incorporate them into a unique design to honor your loved one. If you do not want to use a full body angel in your design, many tattoo artists recommend using various angelic parts such as halos, wings and heavenly auras that surround your tattoo design. This presents the image in a more memorial-like manner, letting those who gaze upon the tattoo know that the person has passed away.

Incorporating the name of your loved one into the tattoo is always considered good but not always used. In fact, many tattoo lovers that utilize this way to honor their loved ones who have passed away, do not want to use their name in the actual design. Instead, you may see the birth and death dates, a nickname or in some cases a portrait image is used.

When looking to create the perfect memorial tattoo to honor your loved one, you should consider their individuality just as much as you should consider what they meant to you and how you viewed them as a person, or pet. You will often see these types of tattoo designs filled with creative elements such as feathers, clouds, hearts, arrows and of course, crosses and religious symbols.

Many individuals use design elements such as tombstones to show their love and honor for those that have passed on. It is not uncommon for loved ones to visit the grave site of the dead to sketch the actual tombstone and use it as a tattoo design element. When young children or babies have passed before their time, footprints are often used in memorial tattoo designs.

Get creative when it comes to your memorial tattoo, as many feel that it will be the last moment that they will get to to spend doing something that for their loved one. While others may continue to do things in their honor for the rest of their own lives.

If you do not want to use design elements that showcase the identity of your loved one, there are still many options that you can utilize to honor their memory. Using tattoo design elements that depict places or scenes that you enjoyed going with your loved one is often used to maintain their memory and presence with you at all times. Design elements that involve hands are often used to symbolize the loved one always being beside you, even after they pass. For the same reason, shadows are often used in tattoos to showcase their presence as well.

If you want to really go all out when designing your memorial tattoo, using 3D images can make a huge difference as well in both presentation and meaning. Since many tattoo design elements that depict realistic elements require a bit more creativity than others, many people use designs that call for 3D imagery such as bio-mechanical elements, landscapes and illusion elements.

The beauty about memorial tattoo designs is that they do not have to look like a memorial tattoo in order to hold their meaning and significance. While many people believe that this will decrease the meaning if the dates or name is not present, it could not be further from the truth. In fact, a memorial tattoo is on your body and therefore should bear the meaning to you and the loved on you honor!

You can easily incorporate your memorial tattoo into an existing tattoo element or with other designs that honor those still with you in life. You do not have to separate the dead from the living in any way, shape or form. In fact, many people feel this in itself is disrespectful to the honor or their loved one.

when choosing your memorial tattoo design, do not be afraid to think outside the box. While you can always add to the tattoo design, removing elements will be somewhat difficult – so choose wisely and put some thought into each design element before getting your ink done.