ALUMNI GROUP

Memorial Tattoos as a Mourning Ritual

and Relational Connection

A Discussion with Psychoanalyst

Once associated with counterculture and antisocial tendencies, tattoos are now a mainstream part of Western culture. Nonetheless, they were pathologized and undertheorized in psychoanalytic writing until the past decade. In 2010, Alessandra Lemma explored unconscious fantasies that prompt body modifications, conceived primarily as defensive strategies. Maureen Murphy (2013) expanded this view, portraying tattoos as something created in the transitional space between inner and outer worlds, between the individual and tattoo artist. Tattoos have also been viewed in terms of somatechnics, or intertwined psyche, soma, and technology (Miller, 2020; Sullivan, 2009).

Whatever image is permanently inscribed on one’s skin obviously has immense intrapsychic, relational, and/or cultural meaning to that person. This is particularly true of the memorial tattoo, which is the most common type of tattoo. It serves to memorialize significant others, including pets or mentors, sometimes incorporating a loved person’s cremation ashes into the ink. Tattoos also memorialize lost or injured parts of ourselves, such as mastectomy tattoos, or a major turning point in life. Mary Scott will show examples of the memorial tattoos that she has created for her clients. Dr. Murphy will share examples of her own patients’ memorial tattoos to explore the symbolism and specific functions of this embodied art, including attempts to preserve the memory of loved ones, provide ongoing connection to them, reclaim control over the body, proclaim survivorship, seek empowerment, express solidarity, and so forth. Qualitative research validates that a tattoo fosters connection with the living and deceased, and suggests that the process of getting a tattoo provides help and structure during the grief process (Schiffrin, 2009). As such, tattoos may serve as adaptive means of coping with grief and facilitating the mourning process.

Learning objectives:

After attending the discussion in its entirety, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how memorial tattoos serve as means to cope with grief and foster mourning

2. Explain the relational function of memorial tattoos

References (partial list)

Lemma, A. (2010). Under the skin: A psychoanalytic study of body modification. New York: Routledge.

Miller, K. D. (2020). Working clinically with the skin’s surface: Tattoos, scars, and gendered embodiment. Studies in Gender and Sexuality, 21: 143-154.

Murphy, M. (2013). Tattoos as social networks. Fort Da, 19: 29-38.

Schiffrin, E. (2009). “This so clearly needs to be marked”: An exploration of memorial tattoos and their functions for the bereaved. Masters thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA

Sullivan, N. (2009). The somatechnics of bodily inscription: Tattooing. Studies in Gender and Sexuality, 10: 129-141.

Continuing Education Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of [number of credits] AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Center for Psychoanalytic Studies (sponsor number CS1391) is approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Social Worker Examiners to offer continuing education units to the social workers.

The Center for Psychoanalytic Studies (CE Provider Number 379) is approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors to offer continuing education credit to licensed professional counselors.

The Center for Psychoanalytic Studies (Continuing Education Provider Number 340) is approved by the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists to provide continuing education activities for marriage and family therapists.

The Center for Psychoanalytic Studies maintains responsibility for the program.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s)* to disclose with ineligible companies* whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

*Financial relationships are relevant if the educational content an individual can control is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.

Updated July 2021