Learn all about Tattoos as Creative Memorials
A permanent reminder of our loved one, a tribute, the first outward marker of our grief journey, a conversation starter, similar to memorial jewelry…there are many reasons people chose to memorialize someone or something in a tattoo.
Tattoos are permanent forms of body art that belong to a multitude of different cultures all over the world. Learn about the rich history of tattoos and why cancer survivors as well as grieving friends and family chose ink for the occasion.
In this Episode:
- 00:00 Intro
- 04:14 Cocaine Bear
- 07:70 Don’t Ask Cake
- 14:37 Using Tattoos to Memorialize
- 30:45 Get Your Stuff Together
“Tattooing one’s grief can be an act of resistance to the notion that grief can or should be cured … The act of tattooing suggests that grief is permanent and that it is life-long, visible, and always present.”
— Robyn Ord, “It’s Like a Tattoo”…
References
- The Platters – Who Put The Bop In The Bop Shoo Bop Lyrics | AZLyrics.com
- Best Memorial Tattoos: https://improb.com/best-memorial-tattoos/
- Ord, R.L. (2009). “IT’S LIKE A TATTOO”: Rethinking Dominant Discourses on Grief. Canadian Social Work Review, 26, 2, 195-211, https://www.jstor.org/stable/41669912.
- A tattoo is for life: https://psyche.co/ideas/a-tattoo-is-for-life-how-memorial-tattoos-help-the-bereaved
Resources
- History: The King of Tatoos
- The Tattoo Project Video: https://thetattooproject.info/memorial-tattoo-video.html
- Tattoos The Ancient and Mysterious History: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/tattoos-144038580/
- Cremation Ink: https://cremationink.com/shop/
Get Your $hit Together
Charlie shared with us some info about important conversations you might want to have, especially preparing for the worse. Here’s a link to the Get your Shit Together website. Please also see our content about advance directives and healthcare proxy, and this link to state-by-state resources.
Cocaine Bear
If Charlie’s laughing and fragmented description of this upcoming film piqued your curiosity, we saved you the extra keystrokes and have the rampaging trailer right here! Now you know what movie to take the family to over the holidays! You’re welcome.
Recipe of the Week
We saved the best for last, because no holiday or funeral chocolate cake would be complete without sauerkraut. Sauerkraut??? Why yes, it actually works…says Charlie based on the scrumptious picture. (No, he admits, he hasn’t tried it.) Bourne out of necessity, there are reasons it actually is good. The acidity gives the cake a tender crumb and subtle tang. Sound too interesting not to try? You can get the recipe right here from Atlas Obscura.
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
As a songwriter, ‘Everyone Dies’ is inviting you to showcase your original work on an upcoming podcast.
There are many wonderful songs that could be played at a funeral. We also know there are songs that could be played, but are cringeworthy (e.g. Ding Dong the Witch is Dead; Another One Bites the Dust; Ring of Fire, etc.).
We are inviting you to send us a recording of two of your original songs (i.e. that could be played at a funeral, one that is appropriate, one that is likely not) to be included in the third half of the ‘Everyone Dies’ podcast. We will include as many artists over the next year (maybe longer if we are enjoying the segment) as possible.
What we need:
Go to this link, fill out the form and submit it along with your two original songs in .wav or .mp3 format (i.e. two original songs that could be played at a funeral, one that is appropriate, one that is likely not). We will screen them and let you know what week your work will be included. We will include all your information in our show notes so people can purchase your recordings.
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
