44 Meaningful Memorial Tattoos To Honor The Memory Of Someone You Love (2024)

When you lose someone that really meant a lot to you, the heartbreak and feelings of grief and loss can be hard to handle. It can feel like your heart is shattering and you don't know how you are going to be able to live without them in your life.

But you just can't just check out of life because you don't know how to move on from grief — you have to be able to accept that this person has passed away and that they would want you to keep going.

The people you love wouldn't want you to hold yourself back because of your grief for them.

You have to honor their memory in a way that is healthy for you — and many people decide to get meaningful tattoos to help them remember the people they've lost.

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Everyone grieves differently, you just have to respect everyone in their own mourning. Some people cry it out and then tell stories every so often about the loved ones that they miss. Telling stories about the people you've lost can help you remember the good times.

For me, my grandfather — who passed away when I was a child — is still remembered to this day. He was a big collector of dimes and he gave out dimes. It was just his thing. Now, when we need him most, or he is trying to tell us something, we start finding dimes all over the place — and it's weird because we don't really use cash anymore, so how does a dime end up in the laundry, on the bedroom floor, or in the car? Every time I find a dime, it's a reminder that my grandfather is here with me at that moment and is letting me know he is there.

Some people chose to remember their loved ones with memorial tattoos from their handwriting, a realistic portrait tattoo made from a picture, a fingerprint tattoo, and more.

Here are some meaningful tattoos that are dedicated in memory of people's loved ones. Maybe they will inspire your own remembrance tattoo someday.

Memorial Tattoo Ideas for Loved Ones Who Passed Away

1. A quote your loved one used to say.

Photo: Nejron Photo / Shutterstock

2. A realistic portrait.

3. Their favorite flower.

Photo: Eduardo Vaccari / Unsplash

4. Paw print portrait.

5. Meaningful coordinates.

Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash

6. A line work portrait.

7. A feather with their name and dates.

8. Angel wings.

9. A letter in their handwriting.

10. Baby footprints.

11. Line work mother and her baby angel.

12. Their handwriting and fingerprints.

13. A note saying 'until we meet again.'

14. Delicate pet portraits.

15. A minimalist dove.

16. A meaningful note from your loved one.

17. Their handwriting and favorite flower.

18. Their dates intertwined with the infinity symbol.

19. Traditional American style portrait.

20. A memorial circle.

21. Your loved one's name on a heart.

22. Your pet's paw and nose print.

23. Handprints over the heart.

24. Praying hands.

25. Matching memorial tattoos.

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26. Roman numeral dates.

27. A music reference.

28. A heartfelt poem.

29. A teddy bear angel.

30. A heart surrounding hands.

31. A portrait of you and your loved one's hands.

32. Their name accompanied by something they love.

33. A large chest piece dedicated to your loved one.

34. Minimalist ladybug and butterfly, symbols of protection and hope.

35. Your loved one's dates in a wave.

36. A sentimental object intertwined with your loved one's handwriting.

37. A cardinal, symbolic of lost loved ones.

38. A paw print embedded in a portrait's design.

39. A watercolor paw print.

40. Your hand and your pet's paw.

41. A pocket watch with a short quote.

42. Traditional cross and eagle.

43. The gates to heaven.

44. A Celtic symbol of unity.

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Emily Francos is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationships.