We guess it had to happen. With the incredible popularity of tattoos has now come a means of allowing individuals who love their skin art to leave their tattoos behind after they pass. Expect this new service to evoke a fair amount of stomach churning for those who are not fans.
The rise of tattooing as a form of self-expression, and in many people's minds, as art, has made tattoos something that people invest in as much as they do fine jewelry. Unlike jewelry, however, the tattoos could not be passed down to heirs. When a person passed, the tattoos were buried with them, and if they were cremated, the tattoos were cremated also. That's now about to change.
The National Association for the Preservation of Skin Art is now offering a way to preserve and frame the tattoos. When the person passes away, the funeral home is given a kit to cut off the tattoo and send it to the association. There it will undergo chemical treatment, be framed and sent to someone of the deceased's choosing. Yes, that does mean that a framed and preserved piece of human skin can now be given away. The Daily Examiner reported this story in "Love your skin art? It doesn't have to die with you."
While it is always good to have more estate planning options, this is one you should consider only after proceeding with caution. Communication is the key. You do not want to unexpectedly leave someone a piece of your preserved skin without first checking that he or she is okay with it.
However, if you are following good estate planning advice, you already know that communication is essential to a successful estate plan, so you are already communicating with your heirs.
Reference: Daily Examiner (October 12, 2015) "Love your skin art? It doesn't have to die with you."
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