Inked by the Departed: Is Ash Tattoo a Risky Memorial or a Health Hazard?
- By Tina Punk
Contemplating Ink with Remains: A Thoughtful Gesture or Potential Health Hazard? - Exploring the Practice of Inking with Remains: A Sympathy-Fueled Gesture or a Health Risk?
Let's talk tattoos, death, and a little bit of rebellion. Remember James Hetfield, the Metallica frontman? Well, he wasn't the only one to do something unique with his tattoo. He inked the ashes of his late friend, Lemmy Kilmister, into his skin. That's right, folks, memorializing the dead under your skin. Sounds like a cool idea, but is it?
In the U.S., this trend has been around for quite some time. But how about in Germany? Can you get a tattoo with ink containing the ashes of your deceased pet? Let's find out.
Tattoo Ink Standards: Check Your Labels!
Urban Slamal, a tattoo law expert, dishes on the legality of this unconventional idea. The good news for us European folks is that, unlike in the U.S., using ink containing ashes of the deceased is a no-no in the EU. Germany's regulations on burials are stringent, and disturbing the peace of the dead is off-limits, meaning no ashes can leave the urn. Now, when it comes to pets, the rules are a bit more lenient, but stringent guidelines still apply to tattoo ink.
"Don't even think about adding ashes to the tattoo ink and crossing your fingers," warns Slamal. Tattoo ink is highly regulated, and tampering with it is a no-no. "The EU has specific regulations on what can and can't be in tattoo inks," explains Slamal. Any contaminated ink can lead to allergic reactions, severe health issues, and even cancer risks.
Memorial Tattoo: A Heap of Problems to Consider
There are companies that create tattoo ink using cremated remains, but they're usually based outside the EU, like in England. One such company, Cremation Ink, requires only a teaspoon of ash and charges around 170 euros. They claim to remove medical residues, filter, and sterilize the ashes.
But Slamal isn't buying it. "I'd love to get my hands on a bottle of that ink," he says, doubting their authenticity. Even if the process is legitimate, labeling the bottle correctly is a significant challenge. "The registration process alone is a science," he says. "And I'm still skeptical." Dermatologist Dr. Gerd Kautz agrees, advising against using ash-infused ink due to potential health hazards.
Caveats and Concerns: The Dark Side of Ash Tattoos
Importing ash-infused tattoo ink is tricky. England isn't under EU tattoo ink regulations, but the importer is. "The British manufacturer can wash their hands of it, but the person importing the ink into Germany can't," explains Slamal. They're required to adhere to EU regulations, including registering the ink with authorities and providing a safety data sheet. "There are many pitfalls," warns Slamal. "It's not a gray area anymore; it's tending towards dark gray."
- Tattoos
- Death
- Ash
- Health Risks
- Regulations
- Importing
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of this Regulation regarding the importing of ash-infused tattoo ink from England, as the importer in Germany is required to adhere to EU regulations, including registering the ink with authorities and providing a safety data sheet.
James Hetfield, the Metallica frontman, chose a unique way to memorialize his deceased friend, Lemmy Kilmister, by getting a tattoo with ink containing his ashes, but in the EU, using such ink is prohibited due to stringent regulations on tattoo ink, which are enforced to prevent allergic reactions, severe health issues, and even cancer risks.
Although companies exist that create tattoo ink using cremated remains, such as Cremation Ink, their additive – the ashes of the deceased – raises health concerns, and dermatologist Dr. Gerd Kautz advises against using ash-infused ink due to potential health hazards.
