Nothing can ever replace being with a loved one [1], but if they've passed on, a memorial tattoo is a lovely way to keep their legacy alive. Whether it's something tiny [2] or an elaborate piece of art [3] that takes up your whole arm, there's no shortage of memorial tattoo ideas out there.
Getting an "in loving memory" tattoo inked in honor of someone you love [4] and admire can also be a therapeutic part of the grieving process. For many, it's a permanent way to keep a loved one close when they physically can't be there anymore, as well as a permanent reminder of the memories and love you will always carry. Since it's a permanent symbol of remembrance, you want to be 100 percent sure about the design and tattoo you choose. If you're struggling to think of some inspiration, we recommend brainstorming about something that has always stuck with you, a symbolic reminder that represents what they mean to you, or a vivid memory you have of them.
Whether you're searching for simple memorial tattoos or just general tattoos for lost loved ones, we've got some ideas. Keep scrolling to check out some real-life examples of memorial tattoos to get you thinking.
Heartbeat Memorial Tattoo
A heartbeat line tattoo is a subtle yet powerful way to honor a loved one. Some people use the exact EKG from their family member's medical records, while others opt for a stylized design with a heart, infinity symbol, or initials woven in. It's simple, personal, and carries the reminder that their love is always with you.
Roman Numeral Angel Wings Memorial Tattoo
This simple tattoo features a memorable date flanked by angel wings made of flowers and a halo on top. You can use the space in between the wings to tattoo a special date, like a birthday or the day a loved one passed on.
Animal Portrait Memorial Tattoo
If you're looking for a sweet way to memorialize a pet you've lost, we love the idea of a detailed portrait. This example features three different pets that held a special place in their owner's heart.
Butterfly Memorial Tattoo
If you want to remember a loved one with a sweet memorial tattoo, why not get two butterflies: one to symbolize you and the other to symbolize your loved one? The quote underneath this tattoo, "Your scars are the answer," addresses the fact that you might be in pain, but on the other end you might find happiness.
Tulip Memorial Tattoo
A simple fine-line floral design always makes a great memorial tattoo. Whether you choose to go with a specific flower because it was one the person you loved favored, or if it's just something that reminds you of them, it's a tiny reminder you'll never regret.
Name and Life Date Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo is made up of three different parts. In the center is the person's name surrounded by butterflies and under it is the year they were born and passed away.
Matching Name Memorial Tattoo
Sometimes, the best memorial tattoo idea is something simple, like getting the name of a loved one tattooed on you. This would make a good memorial tattoo for Dad or Mom.
Honor You Memorial Tattoo
If you're looking for a tattoo in loving memory, this ink featuring a quote and set of dates is beautiful. It reads: "I survived, so I'll continue to honour you."
We Part Only to Meet Again Memorial Tattoo
Another memorial tattoo idea we love is incorporating the quote, "We part only to meet again." This example features flowers, stars, and a date.
Mother and Daughter Memorial Tattoo
This gorgeous sketch tattoo would is a great example of a memorial tattoo for mom. Whether you want to pay tribute to your relationship or just have a constant reminder of your love.
Baby Blue Angel Wings Memorial Tattoo
We love this memorial tattoo with footprints and angel wings. This might be an in loving memory tattoo for an infant, or a tattoo for grief.
Paw Prints Memorial Tattoo
If you're looking for dog memorial tattoo ideas, this paw print design is perfect. It's tiny, but it has a big impact. The saying means "until we meet again."
Watering Can Memorial Tattoo
If the person you are looking to pay tribute to was a fan of gardening or flowers, this watering can tattoo would be a perfect idea. We love this as a memorial tattoo for mom, or for grandma.
Butterfly in Flight Memorial Tattoo
Butterflies are often seen as symbols of lost loved ones. This example makes a great in loving memory tattoo, especially if you want to keep the meaning private.
Polaroid Photo Memorial Tattoo
This in loving memory tattoo features a polaroid, which is a great way to pay tribute to a loved one, especially if you have a photograph with them that you want to remember forever.
Pretty Poppies Memorial Tattoo
This memorial features a note written in a loved one's handwriting. It's a memorial tattoo for dad, and reads: "I love you! Dad."
Portrait and Flower Memorial Tattoo
We love the idea of paying tribute to someone with a portrait. It makes a great memorial tattoo, and you can choose to use an image of them that you love best.
Mom & Dad Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo for dad and mom features a butterfly and the words "Mom" and "Dad." It's a great example of a tattoo for grief.
Dove Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features a dove and the words, "I love you the most." Doves typically symbolize freedom.
Rose Petals Memorial Tattoo
This rose tattoo near the ankle would make a great memorial tattoo, specifically if your loved one's favorite flower was a rose.
Special Dates Memorial Tattoo
This memory tattoo features special dates and a rose. The date of birth and death make a sweet in loving memory tattoo.
Always and Forever Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo for mom showcases a tattoo of a handwritten note and a dragonfly. The note reads: "Love always and forever!! - Mom."
Compass Memorial Tattoo
This compass is a great example of a simple memorial tattoo, especially if you and your loved one enjoyed exploring or traveling together.
Handwritten Script Memorial Tattoo
If you're looking to get a matching memory tattoo with a loved one, why not consider the name of the person you are looking to pay tribute to? We love this one written in a fancy script.
Circle of Life Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo has a few elements we love. It features a special date, as well as a flower blooming.
Handwritten Signature Memorial Tattoo
This handwritten signature makes an amazing in loving memory tattoo. It reads, "love dad," and would make a great memorial tattoo for dad.
Lavender Memorial Tattoo
This simple memorial tattoo features lavender and a quote that reads, "I love you so much."
Loving Words Memorial Tattoo
This quote shaped into a heart is a beautiful simple memorial tattoo. It has a quote from a famous E. E. Cummings poem.
Flower-Filled Portrait Memorial Tattoo
This flower-filled portrait is a great in-loving memory tattoo. You can feature the person you've lost and incorporate their favorite flower.
Lots of Love Memorial Tattoo
We love this memorial tattoo featuring a flower and a note from a loved one. This is a great example of a memorial tattoo for mom.
Birth Flower Memorial Tattoo
Getting a birth flower is a great example of a simple tattoo for lost loved ones. It can be private, so you only know what it means unless you choose to share it with others.
Hummingbird Memorial Tattoo
This tattoo showcases a hummingbird with special dates written underneath. It's a nice in loving memory tattoo that you can view whenever you are missing your loved one.
Red Rose With Leaves
This tattoo for lost loved ones features a red rose and names. It reads, "Mama, Papa, Joe." The design makes a great memorial tattoo for grandpa or grandma.
More Time Memorial Tattoo
We love the idea of an intricate memorial tattoo featuring a clock and roses, especially if you're reminiscing on the times you've spent with a loved one.
Cursive First and Last Name Memorial Tattoo
Sometimes the simplest designs carry the most weight. A loved one's first and last name, written in delicate cursive, makes for an elegant tattoo that feels timeless.
Iris Memorial Tattoo
This iris tattoo also features a note from someone's grandmother and reads, "love ya." It makes a great memorial tattoo for grandma.
Bold Script Name Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features a name written in bold script and is placed on the forearm.
Watercolor Paw Print
This watercolor paw print is a beautiful way to pay tribute to a lost pet. It's a great dog memorial tattoo idea, but it works for a cat as well.
Robin Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features a robin and flowers. A robin typically symbolizes good luck and happiness.
Fingerprint Memorial Tattoo
This fingerprint tattoo is a beautiful option for memorial tattoos for dad. This is a larger version, but it could be condensed into a smaller size for the perfect small in-memory tattoo.
Bird on a Branch Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo of a bird on a branch is a stunning way to show love for someone who has passed on. It's a simple memorial tattoo but if cherry blossoms and robins are special to you and your loved one, you'll be able to cherish its meaning.
Orchid Branch Memorial Tattoo
This small in-memory tattoo is of a handwritten note and flowers. This is a nice example of a memorial tattoo for grandpa, especially if you have a note in his handwriting.
Cursive Name Memorial Tattoo
A cursive name tattoo is a classic way to pay tribute to a loved one. This example is extremely colorful, and features what looks to be a lily.
Butterfly With Floral Wings Memorial Tattoo
This butterfly is half drawn with a floral design, which is a beautiful twist on a classic illustration. We also love the addition of the Roman numerals.
Herb Bouquet Memorial Tattoo
This herb bouquet small memorial tattoo would be a great idea for a loved one who loved gardening or cooking.
Blue Poppies
This blue poppy tattoo is one of our favorite memorial tattoo ideas. The flower typically represents imagination. This tattoo was a memorial piece for the person's grandmother.
Intricate Skull Memorial Tattoo
This intricate skull tattoo is a beautiful memorial tattoo idea. Whether you want to do something similar with a loved one's portrait or you both loved similar artwork, it makes a great in loving memory tattoo.
Memorable Numbers Memorial Tattoo
This number tattoo is a great example of a simple in loving memory tattoo. Whether the numbers you choose are a special date or they mean something private to only you and your loved one, this is a nice choice for a small in memory tattoo.
Paw Print Memorial Tattoo
This simple paw print tattoo is a great dog memorial tattoo idea. It's placed on the foot, so both of your feet can be together forever.
Dragonfly Memorial Tattoo
This dragonfly with a handwritten note from someone's mom is a great memorial tattoo for mom. It features lots of flowers as well.
Pet Outline Memorial Tattoo
This outline of a pet is another simple memorial tattoo idea that pays tribute to an animal rather than doing the traditional paw print.
Always With You Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo showcases Roman numerals and the word "always." It's a geometric diamond but it's filled with flowers that have a special meaning to the owner of the tattoo.
Baby Footprint Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo is of a baby's footprint, a special date, and the loved one's name written in their own handwriting.
Sunflower Memorial Tattoo
This sunflower tattoo featuring the word "strength" and a special date is a great simple in loving memory tattoo. There are so many symbols in one.
Two Birds Memorial Tattoo
We love this memory tattoo, which features flying birds and the words "Love Dad" written in script. It makes a great memorial tattoo for dad.
To Keep You Company Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features a handwritten note that says, "to keep you company after I leave." It's a great example of a memorial tattoo for mom that features gorgeous flowers.
I Carry Your Heart Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features a quote from an E. E. Cummings poem. It's surrounded by black and white leaves.
Name Infinity Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features names written into an infinity sign. It can symbolize that your love for those in the tattoo lasts for infinity.
Baby Details Footprint Memorial Tattoo
This memorial tattoo features handwritten details drawn into the shape of a small footprint. It includes a birth date as well as a birth weight and height.
— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez [5]
Catherine Conelly [6] is a PS contributor.
Renee Rodriguez [7] (she/her) is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.