Embodied meaning making: Memorial tattoos as a visual expression of grief

TLDR

Memorial tattoos are an increasingly prevalent response to the death of a loved one. This study explored the role of memorial tattoos as an active response to loss and a visual expression of grief. Twenty‑two people with memorial tattoos volunteered to be interviewed and to have photographs taken of their tattoos. Grounded theory analysis revealed that memorial tattoos serve as an expression of embodied meaning making in grief, encompassing themes of creating permanence, constructing control, and symbolizing the bond.

Abstract

Memorial tattoos are an increasingly prevalent response to the death of a loved one. This study explored the role of memorial tattoos as an active response to loss and a visual expression of grief. Twenty-two people with memorial tattoos volunteered to be interviewed and to have photographs taken of their tattoos. Through a grounded theory analysis, the core category emerged that memorial tattoos were an expression of embodied meaning making in the grief experience. Under this core category, the themes of creating permanence, constructing control, and symbolizing the bond further elucidated the meaning making process represented in memorial tattoos.