FabSwingers.com forum: Tattoo preservation

By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

So, I've been listening to a podcast today and they were talking about something I'd never heard of before. Tattoo preservation after death.

There's a link to a BBC news article about it here (I think linking to BBC is okay?) so I don't need to explain the whole thing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48047002

So the concept seems to revolve around removal of the skin sections that have tattoos by the undertakers once a person has died (with their agreement). The skin is then sent to a specialist company who treat and preserve the skin in a way so it doesn't degrade, and it is put into a glass presentation frame for the family to keep/display as they wish.

I don't have any tattoos, but those that do, is this something you would consider?

Do people find this a bit too maudlin/macabre or plain distasteful?

Is it all a bit "silence of the lambs" for you?

Is it any different than keeping someone's ashes in an urn or trinket?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about it really. I know people pay a lot of money for their tattoos, and I do like the more macabre side of life, but I'm not sure I'd want to have a loved one's skin hanging up on my wall like a piece of art. Hmm....

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By *eltCuteMightDeleteWoman
10 weeks ago

Reading

My initial reaction? The very idea of it gives me the heebie jeebies. My skin after death framed on a wall? No.

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By *am101aMan
10 weeks ago

swad

Nope. No tattoos, if i had they would go to the fire with me...

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By *riel13Woman
10 weeks ago

Northampton

I always say I want my skin made into a massive lamp

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"I always say I want my skin made into a massive lamp

That is quite... unique

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By *oeBeansMan
10 weeks ago

Derby

I think it's definitely on the macabre side and who decides whether the skin is sectioned off and framed? Is the person who dies or is it them and the family/friends? Imagine being part of someone's will and all they've left you is a bit of skin with a naked woman with a devil's tail framed for you to keep as a memory of them 😂

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By *parkle1974Woman
10 weeks ago

Leeds

I think it would freak me out tbh x

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By *ornucopiaMan
10 weeks ago

Bexley

Jeeez!

Most of them are bad enough in real life.

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By *londebiguyMan
10 weeks ago

Southport

I love you , I want to wear your skin!

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"I think it's definitely on the macabre side and who decides whether the skin is sectioned off and framed? Is the person who dies or is it them and the family/friends? Imagine being part of someone's will and all they've left you is a bit of skin with a naked woman with a devil's tail framed for you to keep as a memory of them 😂"

from looking at the website of the company who have pioneered the technique, it can be either the person with the tattoos who gets intouch before they die, or a family member who requests it.

It would be quite the thing if you had no idea they had requested it though, and you just get left their tattoo sleeve as gift

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.

Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though.

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By *peedyGMan
10 weeks ago

Telford

I have tattoos but i don't think my family like them enough to do that.

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By *peedyGMan
10 weeks ago

Telford

"I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.

Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though. "

It would definitely help get rid unexpected or uninvited visitors

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By *udandBryanCouple
10 weeks ago

Boston

Dave wants his back preserving, as the tattoo will have cost about £1000 when finished and would be a shame to waste it

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By *illyboy12345Man
10 weeks ago

Glasgow

I mean, it’s a kinda cool concept but ultimately, it’s a bit creepy. Just a preserved piece of skin on the mantelpiece. I guess it’s a talking point

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By *ndisMan
10 weeks ago

Liverpool

Or as Buffalo Bill said in Silence of The Lambs, "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again"

Sounds a wee bit creepy to me.

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"Dave wants his back preserving, as the tattoo will have cost about £1000 when finished and would be a shame to waste it"

The cost of preserving it would be about 20x that amount according to the website of the company that does it 😬😄

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"Or as Buffalo Bill said in Silence of The Lambs, "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again"

Sounds a wee bit creepy to me.

I definitely thought of Silence of the Lambs straight away

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By *ollyPocket75Woman
10 weeks ago

Aberdeen

Not for me, this is a bit freaky. I'll be cremated with my skin on

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By (user no longer on site)
10 weeks ago

I like my tattoos and I'm sure there's some people out there that appreciate them..

Not sure mounting them on a wall like some sort of weird trophy is something I'd be ok with.

That's an insane cost. 🤣

The buffalo bill comment did me. 🤣

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"I imagine for most people, it's going to be a no thank you.

Some of them have been displayed at tattoo conventions etc which is one thing, not sure about having them displayed above the mantlepiece though.

It would definitely help get rid unexpected or uninvited visitors

Hmm, now you're making me rethink it 😉

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"I mean, it’s a kinda cool concept but ultimately, it’s a bit creepy. Just a preserved piece of skin on the mantelpiece. I guess it’s a talking point"

Yeah... I've seen some photos and some smaller ones you can't really tell it's skin. It could be canvas. But the larger pieces definitely look like body parts 😬

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
10 weeks ago

Reading

Too creepy for words.

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By *estructionDolly OP Woman
10 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

"I like my tattoos and I'm sure there's some people out there that appreciate them..

Not sure mounting them on a wall like some sort of weird trophy is something I'd be ok with.

That's an insane cost. 🤣

The buffalo bill comment did me. 🤣"

I'm not really sure how they justify the cost, except for exclusivity as there aren't many other people able/willing to provide the service.

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By *he MinionMan
10 weeks ago

I like my tattoos but i cant imagine anybody wanting them as a keepsake or memento.

Interesting conversation piece perhaps when someone comes round, "Oh yeah that, thats my dead dads tattoo !"

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By *izzmasterzeroMan
10 weeks ago

Aberdeen

I would do this

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By *lderflower_AppleWoman
10 weeks ago

Basingstoke

I've often felt a little sad that my ink will disappear with me. I'm a unique living work of art, designed and painted by an incredible artist, and it feels so sad that her work will die with me.

I'm not sure I'd want myself mutilated like that, but if there was some way to keep my tattoos intact and added to her portfolio (assuming she becomes world renowned before I peg it!) I'd love to be part of that.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
10 weeks ago

Reading

"I've often felt a little sad that my ink will disappear with me. I'm a unique living work of art, designed and painted by an incredible artist, and it feels so sad that her work will die with me.

Surely they can be immortalised in pictures or a video.

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By *annessaTV/TS
10 weeks ago

Denham

Macabre. Ignites the question as too “why tattoos” anyway.

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By *riel13Woman
10 weeks ago

Northampton

"I always say I want my skin made into a massive lamp

That is quite... unique

Something like that

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By *randMrsShebaCouple
10 weeks ago

Birmingham

Put the lotion in the basket

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By *aybeLadyWoman
10 weeks ago

West Dublin

Jesus, I dont think anyone from my family would want any of my tatts!!

I have a twin sister and we are poles apart. I dont think she likes any of my tatts.

I have thought about my own mortality as I have incurable stage IV cancer. But I dont think I will be adding this to my Will 😏

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By *he BFGMan
10 weeks ago

Stafford

It's a thing in Japan been happening for a bit tattoo culture is different over there people tended to have bodysuits so one large tattoo

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By *noopydogMan
10 weeks ago

Harlow

I think this is a great idea, I did think about getting a lamp or two done and my goth daughter back when she was in her 20s liked the idea, but now I bet she would say no lol

I’ll have to ask if she remembers talking about it .

There is a museum with yakuza skins on display.

Thank you Kinky OP for being this up and reminding me of this x

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By *vaRoseWoman
10 weeks ago

Ankh-Morpork

I read a book about a serial killer that collected tattoos from his victims, he would have loved this idea.

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By *ulieScrumptiousWoman
10 weeks ago

North West

Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now.

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By *noopydogMan
10 weeks ago

Harlow

"Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now. "

Yes it’s called funny enough “Skin”

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By *ulieScrumptiousWoman
10 weeks ago

North West

"Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now.

Yes it’s called funny enough “Skin” "

Indeed. Google confirmed I was correct too. 🎉 He was so good at the surprise twist!

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By *ittlebirdWoman
10 weeks ago

The Big Smoke

"Isn't there a Roald Dahl short story about this? I have 'Skin' as the title in my head so I need to check now.

Yes it’s called funny enough “Skin”

Indeed. Google confirmed I was correct too. 🎉 He was so good at the surprise twist! "

They made it into an epic Tales of the Unexpected with Derek Jacobi 😘

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By (user no longer on site)
10 weeks ago

No way, I would like to keep mine on my body personally

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By *inkyropecoupleCouple
10 weeks ago

carluke

Great idea! My will is being updated as I type this….if only I could be there to see the ex wife opening that particular parcel 😂

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By *carlettsWoman
10 weeks ago

Harpenden

Yeah not sure I like the thought of someone framing my skin for my tatts. Burn me and pop me in some pretty jewellery instead pls

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