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Written by Adam McIlroy.
14 minute read
Yes, you can put cremation ashes in a tattoo by mixing a small amount of ashes with tattoo ink. Known as a cremation ashes tattoo or memorial tattoo, this can be a deeply personal way to remember someone you love. However, there are a few things to consider before getting one, particularly when it comes to health, safety and the process involved.
When someone close to you dies, finding a meaningful way to remember them can bring comfort. For some people, that might mean getting a tattoo that includes a small amount of their loved one’s ashes. The design could be their name, a favourite flower or something that reminds you of a special memory you shared.
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo with cremation ashes in the UK, it’s natural to have questions about how it works, whether it’s safe and what you can expect to pay.
In this guide, we’ll explain how cremation ashes tattoos work, from preparing the ashes and mixing them with ink to getting the tattoo itself. We’ll also look at the potential health risks, UK legal considerations, costs and memorial tattoo ideas to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Key takeaways:
Cremation ashes tattoos, as the name suggests, are a form of body modification involving the mixing of ink with small amounts of cremated remains. This is done in order to form images on a person’s body with an especially heightened emotional significance.
The decision to get a tattoo with cremation ashes is not to be taken lightly, and many people find the thought of it too extreme or taboo. But for those opting for it, getting a tattoo with the ashes of a loved one is an intensely personal, vivid and visual way of paying homage to them.
There are all sorts of creative cremation ashes ideas. People can turn their loved one’s ashes into a wide array of different items and keepsakes these days, from jewellery to vinyl records and even ammunition. Getting a cremation tattoo allows a bereaved person to always have the one they’ve lost be permanently with them, as close as can be.
The beauty behind the idea of having a tattoo with the ashes of a loved one is that the image itself can be anything: it could be a photo of the loved one themselves in tattoo form, or an image that commemorates something they loved, like music or sport.
It could also be words that they once spoke or wrote, or even a message from the wearer of the tattoo to their loved one, or vice versa. National Geographic covered the story of someone who got a cremation tattoo using some images that were designed by her father before he died. The possibilities are endless.
Common design choices include favourite flowers (e.g. a rose or blossom the person loved), a beloved pet’s paw print, meaningful symbols (hearts, anchors, crosses), portraits, script (names, dates, quotes) or even coordinates of a special place.
Getting a tattoo with a loved one’s ashes is a very personal decision. Before going ahead, it’s worth understanding the potential health risks, UK legal considerations and costs involved, so you can make a choice that feels right for you.
Cremation ashes can be mixed with tattoo ink, but there are some important health and safety considerations. Although the high temperatures involved in cremation destroy bacteria and other microorganisms, the ashes can become contaminated during collection, handling or mixing.
Cremated remains are mostly made up of stable bone minerals, but this doesn’t automatically make them safe to put into the skin. Unlike a standard tattoo, adding ashes introduces another material, and there’s limited scientific evidence about the long-term safety of ash-infused ink.
There are several cremation myths surrounding cremated remains, but it’s important to distinguish between handling ashes and incorporating them into tattoo ink.
Some specialist companies offer services to refine and prepare ashes before they’re added to ink. The exact process for incorporating ashes into tattoo ink varies between providers, so it’s worth asking how the ashes are treated and what safety measures are in place.
If you’re considering a cremation tattoo:
After getting a tattoo, some redness and mild irritation can be normal. However, if you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, swelling, discharge or other signs of infection, seek medical advice.
There is no specific UK-wide law that explicitly prohibits putting cremation ashes in tattoo ink. However, tattoo artists and studios must still follow the relevant licensing, hygiene and safety requirements, which vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Not every tattoo artist will agree to use ash-infused ink. Some may have concerns about hygiene, insurance or the lack of established safety evidence, while others may only accept ashes that have been prepared by a specialist company. Tattoo artists can refuse to carry out a cremation ashes tattoo, so it’s best to check with your chosen studio before making arrangements.
If you’re thinking about getting one, ask whether the artist has experience with cremation tattoos, what preparation they require and how they manage the potential risks.
The cost of a cremation ashes tattoo depends on the size and detail of the design, the tattoo artist’s rates and how the ashes are prepared. In some cases, the tattoo itself may cost roughly the same as a standard tattoo. However, if the ashes need to be processed and mixed with ink by a specialist company, you’ll usually need to pay an additional fee.
For example, some tattoo artists advertise ash-infused ink preparation for around £120–£150, although prices can vary.
Before booking, ask for a full breakdown of the costs, including any specialist ink preparation, tattooing fees and aftercare products. This can help you understand the total price and decide whether it’s something you’d like to go ahead with.
Given that cremation tattoos are something of an emerging trend among British mourners, the practice is not yet mainstream or that widely spread. But the trailblazing companies across the world providing this option to bereaved tattoo lovers have developed thoughtful and sanitary methods that are quite similar to one another.
A cremation ink company might ship a secure package to the customer who then shares a portion of the ashes they wish to use. They’ll then send it back to the company, who begin a filtration process that reduces the ash to the exact size and pigment of the ink that the customer wants to use. The company then sends it back to the customer via courier with a unique serial number in a vial which they can bring to their tattoo artist for direct use.
Bear in mind that the exact process might vary from company to company; if you’ve found one you’re interested in using, you may wish to get in touch with them to find out the specifics of their own process. Typically very little ash is used (e.g. a spoonful or less) because it must be powdered very finely. Some studios let clients take a small scoop of the ashes to mix into the ink during the tattoo, making the experience more personal.
While we can’t personally vouch for the quality and sterility of the processes used by cremation ink companies, you might want to reach out to any company directly to find out about the rigorousness of their approach.
Ultimately, there are businesses out there who are looking to provide those seeking a cremation tattoo with a safe and sanitary option. It’s up to the one interested in getting a tattoo with cremated remains to do their research before choosing an ink provider or artist.
Tattoos with ashes in the ink follow the same process as traditional tattoos once the ink is prepared, but with one or two differences.
The only real way in which getting a cremation tattoo differs from a normal one is that the ashes need to be integrated into the ink of choice beforehand. Once this has been done, the rest of the process is virtually identical.
As there are no laws in the UK specifically governing the addition of materials to tattoo ink, it’s up to the seeker of the tattoo to decide how to go about doing this. There are now a number of companies with innovative, door-to-door processes for the hygienic and safe integration of ash into tattoo ink which they can choose from.
Even the aftercare of a cremation tattoo is exactly the same as that for a normal one, so the only thing the customer has to decide is which tattoo artist to opt for.
The final tattoo looks and feels virtually the same as a normal one — the ash is so finely blended that it doesn’t change the ink’s colour or texture. Some people say it might feel slightly itchier as it heals, but overall aftercare and pain are the same.
It’s even possible to use the ashes of a beloved pet for a cremation tattoo. Recently, a British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan had his dog Treo’s ashes incorporated into a memorial tattoo.
If you are selecting a cremation ink company for this purpose, make sure that they are happy to use animal ashes as well as human ones beforehand.
It goes without saying that in order to use the ashes of a loved one or treasured pet, they first need to have been cremated. We will now explain how the cremation process works, and how this relates to the ash’s incorporation into ink.
The cremation process roughly takes between one and three hours, following a body’s exposure in the cremator to temperatures of between 800 and 1000ºC. Once this has been done, and the cremator has cooled to a safe temperature, a crematorium attendant will gather the ashes of the person who has died with a rake.
The ashes are then stored in a transportable container of some kind. Once you have the ashes of your loved one in your possession, from there you can provide a portion of them to the provider of your cremation ink, who can then start their refinement and filtration process where they add them to the ink.
Exactly how the ashes of your loved one or pet are transformed into ink will depend on your provider’s own particular process. It’s likely that the process will generally work like this:
We hope this explanation of a new and interesting commemoration practice has been useful to you. If you’re interested in learning more about direct cremation, or anything at all relating to how to commemorate someone meaningfully, our helpful team would be delighted to receive your call.
Our free guide to arranging a direct cremation gives you a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s involved, helping you to understand the process and explore whether it’s the right choice for you or your loved ones.
Whether you are thinking ahead for someone on end-of-life care or arranging a funeral now for someone who has passed, we hope this guide can help.
In this guide, you will find:
Yes, it’s possible to mix a small amount of cremation ashes into tattoo ink to create a meaningful memorial tattoo. This is often done through specialised providers who sterilise and refine the ashes before incorporating them into the ink.
Yes, provided the ashes are sterilised and handled by a professional.
There are no specific UK laws regulating ash tattoos. General tattooing laws apply, meaning the practice is not illegal, but it should be carried out under sanitary conditions by a licensed artist.
When done by a hygienic and professional artist using properly sterilised ashes, cremation tattoos are considered as safe as any regular tattoo. Cremation eliminates harmful bacteria, but sterile handling remains essential.
Look for tattoo artists or companies who specialise in cremation tattoos. Ask about their process for incorporating ashes and ensure they follow strict hygiene standards. Some providers ship pre-sterilised ink with ashes mixed in for you to take to your chosen artist.
No, the tattooing process itself is nearly identical to a standard tattoo. The only difference is that the ink contains cremated remains, which does not impact the tattooing sensation or aftercare.
Costs vary depending on the artist and whether they use a specialised process to incorporate the ashes. Some may charge similar to a regular tattoo, while others include an additional fee for preparing and handling the ashes.
Yes. Many people choose to commemorate beloved pets in this way. Be sure to check that your chosen cremation ink provider accepts animal ashes before proceeding.
Think carefully about your design and choose an artist you trust. Ask about hygiene, how they incorporate ashes, and whether they’ve done similar work before. This is a permanent and deeply personal tribute, so it’s worth taking the time to feel confident in your decision.