Tattoos have long been a way to capture stories, emotions, memories, or symbols to commemorate loved ones. In recent years, a special form of tattooing has emerged: tattoos made with ashes. The idea is that you carry the ashes with you forever. People who wear these tattoos often find comfort in them. At BlackBear Ink, we regularly receive questions about this subject. How exactly does it work, and is it even allowed?

What is a cremation ash tattoo?

An ash tattoo is a tattoo in which a small amount of cremated ashes from a person or animal is incorporated. The ashes are mixed with ink, and this ink is then tattooed into the skin, just like with any other tattoo.

Is tattooing with ashes safe?

It has been several years now, but in 2016, a study was conducted at the request of the Minister of Health. The study showed that certain risks can arise, which cannot be foreseen. The general danger is the potential for infections or additional scar tissue.

Is it legal to use cremation ashes in a tattoo?

It is only permitted if the ashes meet the safety and health requirements of the Commodities Act. In practice, this is not feasible, and therefore the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) strongly advises against it. The tattoo artists at BlackBear Ink also follow this advice and do not perform ash tattoos.

Ash is not sterile and may contain harmful combustion products, such as heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs, and dioxins (source: NVWA). The long-term effects are also unknown.

Additionally, it’s important to note that ash does not dissolve in the ink. It simply sinks to the bottom. Therefore, it is more about the idea and the feeling of carrying a loved one with you than the actual incorporation of the ash into the tattoo.

Memorial tattoos

There are many other ways to create a tattoo in memory of a person or animal. This often involves a specific subject or design. The artist will be happy to help you figure out how to best incorporate this into a design. Some common ideas include the loved one’s favorite flower, a butterfly, a heart, or an angel.

Have you ever considered getting a tattoo in memory of a loved one?