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Tattoo preservation
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So, I've been listening to a podcast today and they were talking about something I'd never heard of before. Tattoo preservation after death.
There's a link to a BBC news article about it here (I think linking to BBC is okay?) so I don't need to explain the whole thing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48047002
So the concept seems to revolve around removal of the skin sections that have tattoos by the undertakers once a person has died (with their agreement). The skin is then sent to a specialist company who treat and preserve the skin in a way so it doesn't degrade, and it is put into a glass presentation frame for the family to keep/display as they wish.
I don't have any tattoos, but those that do, is this something you would consider?
Do people find this a bit too maudlin/macabre or plain distasteful?
Is it all a bit "silence of the lambs" for you?
Is it any different than keeping someone's ashes in an urn or trinket?
I'm not quite sure how I feel about it really. I know people pay a lot of money for their tattoos, and I do like the more macabre side of life, but I'm not sure I'd want to have a loved one's skin hanging up on my wall like a piece of art. Hmm.... |
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I think it's definitely on the macabre side and who decides whether the skin is sectioned off and framed? Is the person who dies or is it them and the family/friends? Imagine being part of someone's will and all they've left you is a bit of skin with a naked woman with a devil's tail framed for you to keep as a memory of them 😂 |
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"I think it's definitely on the macabre side and who decides whether the skin is sectioned off and framed? Is the person who dies or is it them and the family/friends? Imagine being part of someone's will and all they've left you is a bit of skin with a naked woman with a devil's tail framed for you to keep as a memory of them 😂"
 from looking at the website of the company who have pioneered the technique, it can be either the person with the tattoos who gets intouch before they die, or a family member who requests it.
It would be quite the thing if you had no idea they had requested it though, and you just get left their tattoo sleeve as gift  |
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I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.
Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though. |
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"I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.
Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though. "
It would definitely help get rid unexpected or uninvited visitors  |
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"Dave wants his back preserving, as the tattoo will have cost about £1000 when finished and would be a shame to waste it"
The cost of preserving it would be about 20x that amount according to the website of the company that does it 😬😄 |
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"Or as Buffalo Bill said in Silence of The Lambs, "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again"
Sounds a wee bit creepy to me. "
I definitely thought of Silence of the Lambs straight away |
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By (user no longer on site) 6 weeks ago
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I like my tattoos and I'm sure there's some people out there that appreciate them..
Not sure mounting them on a wall like some sort of weird trophy is something I'd be ok with.
That's an insane cost. 🤣
The buffalo bill comment did me. 🤣 |
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"I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.
Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though.
It would definitely help get rid unexpected or uninvited visitors "
Hmm, now you're making me rethink it 😉 |
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"I mean, it’s a kinda cool concept but ultimately, it’s a bit creepy. Just a preserved piece of skin on the mantelpiece. I guess it’s a talking point"
Yeah... I've seen some photos and some smaller ones you can't really tell it's skin. It could be canvas. But the larger pieces definitely look like body parts 😬 |
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"I like my tattoos and I'm sure there's some people out there that appreciate them..
Not sure mounting them on a wall like some sort of weird trophy is something I'd be ok with.
That's an insane cost. 🤣
The buffalo bill comment did me. 🤣"
I'm not really sure how they justify the cost, except for exclusivity as there aren't many other people able/willing to provide the service. |
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I've often felt a little sad that my ink will disappear with me. I'm a unique living work of art, designed and painted by an incredible artist, and it feels so sad that her work will die with me.
I'm not sure I'd want myself mutilated like that, but if there was some way to keep my tattoos intact and added to her portfolio (assuming she becomes world renowned before I peg it!) I'd love to be part of that. |
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"I've often felt a little sad that my ink will disappear with me. I'm a unique living work of art, designed and painted by an incredible artist, and it feels so sad that her work will die with me.
I'm not sure I'd want myself mutilated like that, but if there was some way to keep my tattoos intact and added to her portfolio (assuming she becomes world renowned before I peg it!) I'd love to be part of that."
Surely they can be immortalised in pictures or a video. |
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Jesus, I dont think anyone from my family would want any of my tatts!!
I have a twin sister and we are poles apart. I dont think she likes any of my tatts.
I have thought about my own mortality as I have incurable stage IV cancer. But I dont think I will be adding this to my Will 😏 |
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I think this is a great idea, I did think about getting a lamp or two done and my goth daughter back when she was in her 20s liked the idea, but now I bet she would say no lol
I’ll have to ask if she remembers talking about it .
There is a museum with yakuza skins on display.
Thank you Kinky OP for being this up and reminding me of this x |
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"Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now.
Yes it’s called funny enough “Skin” "
Indeed. Google confirmed I was correct too. 🎉 He was so good at the surprise twist! |
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"Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now.
Yes it’s called funny enough “Skin”
Indeed. Google confirmed I was correct too. 🎉 He was so good at the surprise twist! "
They made it into an epic Tales of the Unexpected with Derek Jacobi 😘 |
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