Would you consider framing your dead loved one's tattoo?

Death is inevitable, and there comes a time in everyone's life where the question needs to be asked: 'How would my loved ones be able to keep my memory alive?'

Some of the traditional methods include creating a scrapbook, designing a mosaic of photos, or even planting a tree. But one father and son duo based in Ohio, USA has found a way to ensure that something near and dear to the deceased will be available to view whenever those living wish to. 

Usually, a person takes a lot of time to decide what type of tattoo to get, as it would represent them, or is something that symbolises something important to them. What better way to remember a loved one by memorialising something as symbolic as a tattoo, right?

Read: Durban tattoo artist shares views on getting names inked

Kyle Sherwood and his dad, Michael, run Save My Ink Forever, a company which has been designed to preserve and frame tattoos of the deceased for their families. The company's website states that their mission is to "help carry on a loved one's story". Both Kyle and his dad are licensed Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

Daily Mail reports that the idea to preserve tattoos came about when a friend of Kyle and his dad chatted with them about the possibility of saving his tattoo after his death.

When a person dies, the deceased's family or next-of-kin contacts Save My Ink Forever within 48 - 72 hours of death, who in turn chats with the funeral home to facilitate the process. Once the deceased's family signs the paperwork, a removal kit and videos are then sent to the funeral home to ensure the process is facilitated correctly. The skin will be then sent to the Sherwoods for preservation, which could take between three to four months. The tattoo is then placed in a beautiful frame with a UV glass and is then sent back to the family. A 5 x 5-inch tattoo costs $1599 (over R20,000).

"This is for the purpose of art. This is for the purpose of memorializing a loved one. This isn't trying to be some freak show, circus act thing," Kyle told DailyMail. 

Kyle and his dad choose not to advertise their unique memorial service, but rather head out to tattoo conventions to educate tattoo-lovers about what they offer.

Also read: Yay or nay to getting a tattoo of your partner's name?

Watch below as Kyle talks about the method and the procedure they use to preserve tattoos:

The finished product truly looks like a work of art.

Here are some pictures of the preservations that they have done, which have been uploaded to their Facebook page:

Do you think this is macabre or a unique way to preserve a loved one's memory? How far would you go to preserve the memory of your loved ones?