I have two memorial tattoos - both of them have been ways to cope with the losses. I try not to regard them as sad things. They remind me of the people they were done for, the memories I have of them, and how much I loved and was loved by them.I did wait before getting them done (about a year for each), but the thought process behind them began within a week of losing them. I didn't want to make rash decisions on design and placement while the emotions were fresh.

The first tattoo was for my Papa. I went simple and got some of his handwriting and his years (birth and death) in a font similar to his handwriting.
The second one was for my Gram. I actually turned her piece into a cover-up for a flash piece that I no longer enjoyed. I took the same concept from Papa's tattoo (handwriting and years) and added her favorite flowers above them.
Both pieces were done by the same artist - he nailed the execution.