Etched in the skin: grief on a living canvas memorial tattoos as expressions of grief. (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swann-Thomas, Bee; Fleming, Susan; Buckley, Emily
• Is Part Of: Mortality. Volume 27:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Grief -- bereavement -- memorial -- tattoos -- ritual; Thanatology -- Periodicals; Mortality -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Periodicals; Undertakers and undertaking -- Periodicals; 304.64
• DOI: 10.1080/13576275.2020.1865893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-6275

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to investigate how memorial tattoos impact upon the grieving process of individuals who wear them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a 1:1 basis with six diverse individuals and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings suggest that memorial tattoos play a beneficial role within the grieving process and that they serve as a positive therapeutic tool. We found that memorial tattoos have five fundamental features: (1) Permanence, (2) A tool for managing grief, (3) Communicative tool, (4) Continuing bonds, (5) Transformation of self. As a result of our findings we recommend that a more flexible approach to the management of grief should be offered to bereaved individuals. We further propose that this study serves as a catalyst for the positive role memorial tattoos play in the grieving process and recommend further qualitative research to broaden our understandings of this area.