Here’s a nice scratch-sketch-style tattoo (for lack of a better way of describing it) by Veronique Depuydt of Original Sin in Belgium. The tattoo memorializes the client’s grandfather, who was the town mayor of a West Flemish city called Bavikhove in the 1950s, and that is who is pictured prominently in the tattoo giving a speech. Much of the rest of the tattoo is made up of a street view of the town at the time — the church of course, as you’ll find in all European towns, and also the old town hall, and flax drying between them, which was once the scene in all the fields in West Flemish towns of the past. Behind his grandfather is an old bottle of Bavik beer — the local brewery still exists — and the most famous bar as well (In’t Damberd). The gravestone near the bottom for his brother who has passed away. This tattoo with it’s stark style, devoid of shading and made up of only powerful confident scratches, I think will age absolutely beautifully, and unlike many tattoos, will actually look better and better with age — to say nothing of being stylistically quite unique.

Memorial tattoos are always filled with emotions for the wearer, however a memorial tattoo of a child is just heartbreaking to everyone.  Jackie Rabbit did this portrait for her friend Natasha.  Here’s what she had to say.

When my friend Natasha asked me to do a portrait of her daughter that had passed on I was honored but also pretty nervous. It was only my second portrait but we both had faith. Taylor Makenzie was born with a terrible degenerative disease. The photo we decided to use was one of the last taken before she passed away. Despite her pain and even having to wear a breathing tube much of the time she did her best to stay upbeat and always had a smile for everyone one. She was only on this earth for a short time but her sweet nature and brave soul touched the hearts of everyone that was lucky enough to meet her.

Jackie works at Star City Tattoo in Roanoke, VA.

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The memorial tattoo gallery is one of the newer galleries on BME, however it’s quickly filling up with some fantastic pieces.  Memorial tattoos always carry a strong emotional tie with the owner as they serve as a permanent reminder of loss.  This one in particular serves as a reminder that just because our pets aren’t human, it doesn’t mean they don’t play an important role in our lives.  This one was submitted anonymously, but it shows just how important this one furry family member was to someone.