We are still looking for parents, and family who have chosen to remember their angels through the art of tattoos. We would like to feature your tattoos here. Please email us if you have a tattoo that you would like us to put on our web site. We will post you tattoo, along with your name, state, and email address if you wish. You can even add a little dedication if you wish.

Keeping Our Angels Close

One of my favorite ways to keep and remember Alana is keeping her pictures in a little heart locket that I wear every day. On one side of the locket I have a her sonogram picture, and on the other side a picture of her after she was born. It's my way of still carrying Alana with me everywhere.

I love this idea a lot. You have the option of keeping your baby's pictures, sonograms, finger prints, hand prints, or foot prints inside. You can also get the locket engraved. They come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. Some can hold up to six photos. If you don't have any pictures of your baby, you can buy any pendant that means something special to you, that represents your child. The best part about wearing a necklace with a pendant is being able to keep your baby close to your heart.

Ways to Remember Your Child

  • Find a special place in your house to keep your memory box, and photos (if you have any).
  • Light a candle.
  • Adopt a Star with the International Star Registry and name it after your baby.
  • Write poetry (it doesn't have to rhyme).
  • Keep a journal.
  • Make scrapbook.
  • Create a web site about your baby.
  • Make a drawing or painting that reminds you of your baby.
  • Make a mix cd of songs that remind you of your baby.
  • Write letters to your baby (you can keep these in your memory box too, or send letters online).
  • Wear a pink and blue ribbon.
  • Buy a brick engraved with your baby's name from Share.
  • Make a Post Secret postcard about your baby and mail it in.
  • Have a special teddy bear made.
  • Frame the pictures you have (if you have them).
  • Make a donation to your favorite foundation or organization in their name.
  • Adopt a Bench at Central Park in New York City which can be inscribed (this is expensive).
  • Donate Tulip or Daffodil bulbs to Central Park.
  • Endow a Tree in Central Park (also expensive).

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Ceremonies

You can create a special ceremony or celebration of your baby's life on either the day you found out you were pregnant, the day your baby was born, or any other day you choose. Gather your family together and remember your little angels.

  • Say a prayer
  • Have a moment of silence
  • Have a special dinner
  • Celebrate with cake
  • Place flowers or stuffed animals at the grave if you buried your child.
  • Have a balloon, dove, or butterfly release.
  • Celebrate October 15th, Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day.
  • Plant a memorial garden with flowers such as Roses, Lilies, Forget Me Not's, Sweet Peas, and Baby's Breath.
  • Plant a tree in your yard or if you don't have one donate a tree to your local park.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, shelter, or community center.
  • Perform a random act of kindness in honor of your baby
  • For Christmas, buy a special Christmas ornament that can be engraved. Or buy a Christmas ornament every year.

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Getting a tattoo is one of the best ways to remember your baby. It can be a very emotional experience for parents who choose to memorialize their baby this way. I noticed through the support groups I have joined, that many bereaved parents are looking for tattoo ideas. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider if you are thinking to get a tattoo. Even if you are not a tattoo person, you can find some more ideas and suggestions on this page as well.


Memorial Tattoo Ideas

  • Foot prints
  • Hand prints
  • Portraits
  • Angel wings
  • Stars with or without clouds
  • Suns or Moons
  • Sacred heart
  • Kanji characters
  • Butterflies
  • Flowers
  • Flower petals in the wind
  • Simply the child's name and birth date
  • Angels/Cherubs
  • Birds (doves, swallows, etc)
  • Something your child loved
  • Cartoon character
  • Rosary beads/Crucifix
  • Banners/Ribbons/Scroll
  • Special phrase/quote

 

Tips:

  • If you still are not sure of what to get, you can always go to a tattoo shop and talk to an artist. Tell them what you have in mind, or ask them to design something for you. Tattoo artists are usually very willing to work with you to come up with something you would really like. Listen to their suggestions, but get something that feels right to you. This is going to be very personal for you, so don't worry about what anyone else thinks.
  • When getting a tattoo be sure to shop around to find a reputable tattoo artist. This is going to be on you forever, and it is something you definitely would not want any mistakes. Ask to see their portfolios and go with the tattoo artist that you like best.
  • When visiting a tattoo shop, look around. See if it looks clean. Tattoo artists should use latex gloves, and have sterile supplies in packaging (eg. needles). You can even ask that they open the needles in front of you. Tattoo artist have done this for me, and they never have had a problem doing it. If the place looks dirty, and look for another shop.
  • Be sure they are understand how important this tattoo is to you.

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Decided On a Memorial Tattoo?

You might already have a tattoo or a few. You may have never gotten a tattoo before. Well either way, these article and links are worth a look. They are very informative and helpful. These links that I have listed will help you get a meaningful, well thought out tattoo. One that you will cherish forever without regret.

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Before You Get a Tattoo

Cool Nurse: Tattoos - Gear toward teenagers, this is still a good informative article about tattooing technique, possible complications, tattoo after care instructions, etc.

Tattoo Johnny: My First Tattoo - Another good tattoo article with tips.

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Symbolism

So you've decided to get your tattoo. Now it's time to think about the design you want and the symbolism you may want to represent want. This isn't necessary, you could if you wanted just go and look at their collection of design sheets. But if you want something unique, these two web sites will help you a lot. For example; Let's say you had a miscarriage, and the baby was too young to get an ink blot of their hand or foot prints. You decide you want to get a tattoo of a flower that represents your child. Let's say the flower is a daisy. Well, daisies (and the color white) are symbols of innocence, and purity. Please don't go to a tattoo shop and say "I want a tattoo but I don't know what I want". You have to give them something to work with. You can bring objects in that are meaningful, a special quote, pictures for reference, your baby's hand prints, footprints, etc.

Tattoo Symbol - Provides the tattooed and the soon-to-be tattooed with important information about their tattoo design choices.

Vanishing Tattoo - *Excellent* Provides tattoo meanings, overviews and explanations of some of the most popular tattoo designs in the world today. Our list of Tattoo Designs & Symbols is continually updated and we always welcome your comments and suggestions for new meanings of tattoos.

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Tattoo Galleries and Flash Sites

Still don't know what to get? Well take a look at these web sites. You'll find some pictures of tattoos that other people have gotten, and some tattoo flash.

Tattoo Artists.org - A free online photo gallery where tattoo artists can display photos of their art. Create your very own online portfolio gallery to display photos of your artwork. I suggest this site because you can search through the portfolio galleries for examples of artwork. This is something that I do before I get a tattoo, and get a better idea of what I want.

Tattoo Johnny

Tattoodles

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Tattoo Shops

Tattoo Art - Located in Las Vegas, NV. Since 1990, Tattoo Art has been a professional, safe, no-nonsense shop dedicated to tattoos, and tattoos only (no piercing's).

All Or Nothing Tattoo Studio - Located Atlanta, GA is home to the largest collection of well known tattoo artists in America, and has been featured in more tattoo magazines than any other parlor in the industry

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Tattoo After Care

The tattoo shop will (should) always give you instructions on how to care for your tattoo. They usually have a sheet of paper with the instructions on them, but sometimes they will just tell you what to do. If you forget don't be afraid to go back or call and ask.

After care is extremely important, especially the first days. Tattoos can take two to three weeks to heal, and another two to settle. It's up to you to care for your tattoo. However, if you are at all concerned about your tattoo, suspect you are getting an infection or rash, go back to the tattoo shop where you got your tattoo. They can take a look and see if it is something to worry about and give you suggestions on what you should do, or should not be doing.

Here are three things to remember:

  • Always wash your hands before touching a fresh tattoo (after all, it is an open wound).
  • Don't pick at your tattoo, and don't scratch it!
  • Products not to use: Neosporin, Rubbing alcohol, peroxide, vaseline, petroleum jelly.

Tattoo Aftercare Contradictions - Why does one artist say to use one product and the next has completely different advice? Discover why there is controversy over what aftercare products are best.

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* I am not responsiblle for the content of any of the websites listed on this page.