Memorial Tattoo Ideas and How to Make the Stencil

A memorial tattoo carries more weight than almost any other design, and it usually starts from something irreplaceable: a photo, a card in someone's handwriting, a pet's portrait. The ideas below are the ones people return to most, with the practical detail that makes each work on skin, and how to get from the original to a stencil without losing what makes it personal.

Key takeaways

Start from the original: a photo, handwriting or drawing. Converting it keeps details that a redraw would change.
Portraits need size. A face smaller than about 5 cm loses its likeness as the tattoo heals.
Simple symbols with a date or name age well and suit small placements such as the wrist or behind the ear.
Try the design on a photo of the placement before booking, so size and position are settled calmly.

Memorial tattoo ideas

Portrait from a photo. The most personal option. Choose a sharp photo with side light; fine line portraits need at least palm size to keep the likeness.
Handwriting or signature. A line from a card or letter in their hand. Convert the photo of the writing rather than retyping it; see handwriting and signature stencils.
Name with dates. Clean lettering, often combined with a small symbol. Keep letter height above about 5 mm; the lettering guide covers spacing.
Their favourite flower. A rose, a peony or a birth flower is a quiet way to carry someone with you.
Praying hands, angel wings or a cross. Traditional memorial symbols that work at many sizes.
Pet portrait or paw print. For a lost companion, from your own photo; see the pet portrait guide.
A heartbeat line. Simple line work, sometimes combined with a name or date.
Coordinates or a place. The place you shared, as numbers or a small landscape outline.
A drawing they made. A child's drawing or a sketch from a parent, kept exactly as drawn.

Size and placement

Design	Minimum practical size	Common placement
Portrait	About 7 to 10 cm tall	Forearm, upper arm, calf
Handwriting	Strokes at needle width or thicker	Forearm, wrist, collarbone
Name and dates	Letters about 5 mm high	Wrist, ribs, behind the ear
Small symbol	About 2 to 4 cm	Wrist, finger, ankle

From the original to the stencil

Photograph the original flat and in daylight: a photo of the photo, the card, or the drawing.
Convert it into clean line work without redrawing, so the face, writing or lines stay true.
Adjust line weight for the style and check that small details stay open at the planned size.
Try it on a photo of the placement and settle the size before the appointment.
Bring the stencil file and the original to your artist.

Stencify does each of these steps in one app: convert a photo, a drawing or handwriting, preview it on skin, and export it ready to print. iPhone, iPad and Android, two free uses: get Stencify on the App Store or on Google Play.

Frequently asked questions

What are good memorial tattoo ideas?

A portrait from a photo, their handwriting or signature, a name with dates, their favourite flower, praying hands or wings, a pet portrait or paw print, a heartbeat line, meaningful coordinates, or a drawing they made.

How big should a memorial portrait tattoo be?

Usually at least 7 to 10 cm tall. Smaller faces lose detail as the tattoo heals and can stop looking like the person.

Can I get a tattoo of someone's handwriting?

Yes. Photograph the original writing and convert it into a stencil rather than retyping it, so every stroke stays as they wrote it.

How do I give my artist a photo for a memorial tattoo?

Bring the sharpest photo you have and, ideally, a clean line version made from it, sized to the placement. It speeds up the consultation and keeps the details accurate.

Memorial Tattoo Ideas, and How to Turn a Photo Into the Stencil