# Is it legal for me to have a tattoo added to my body after I die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 9, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247 "2026-08-09T16:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/22 "2026-08-09T21:15:01Z")
Also tattoo artists are licensed by the state to work only on the living, it would be illegal for a tattoo artist to take a dead person as a client. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/23 "2026-08-09T21:16:26Z")
Thank you. That makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/24 "2026-08-09T21:20:57Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Also tattoo artists are licensed by the state to work only on the living, it would be illegal for a tattoo artist to take a dead person as a client. Do you have a cite for this? Or an inkling as to its purpose? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/25 "2026-08-09T21:35:59Z")
Dead people cannot sign contracts. I’m sure any lisc. artist has contracts. If you contract it before death, you cannot, by being dead, sign off on it at the actual event. You cannot pursue an injunction to have it done from the casket. If by chance, everyone is amenable, the mortuary has laws to abide by. They’re not gonna ok it on their property. They could face prosecution. Once you’re dead your body is subject to state laws. You have no rights, really. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/26 "2026-08-09T21:45:44Z")
Being that it’s legal to specify that your body be embalmed or cosmetized as you wish, I couldn’t imagine why it would be a problem. As long as you’ve documented the instructions clearly, it’ll be up to the next of kin responsible for handling your remains. They’ll be the owners of the body, not you (you can no longer own anything), so it’s up to their own sense of offense or convenience or necessity. With apologies for fighting the hypothetical, I can’t really see how tattooing a design would be an improvement over other methods. The deceased will not be experiencing skin wear or regeneration nor doing any bathing, so you might as well have the design drawn or stamped. If you use the right ink or stain, it should still be there if/when anyone decides to take a look, or at least as much as a tattoo would. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/27 "2026-08-09T21:50:23Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Also tattoo artists are licensed by the state to work only on the living, it would be illegal for a tattoo artist to take a dead person as a client. Having thought about this, why would a dead person need a _licensed_ tattoo artist? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/28 "2026-08-09T21:50:48Z")
There is “Save my Ink Forever” if you already have tattoos. (Legal in some states). Seems a bit gory for my tastes. But hey, do you. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/29 "2026-08-09T21:52:45Z")
In Missouri AFAICT the laws against disturbing or defacing a corpse only apply if the event only happens in connection with another crime (specifically but not exclusively robbing or vandalizing a grave, or destoying evidence.) I can’t find anything that proscribes hiring a tattoo artist before your death to provide that service after your death. OTOH you might want to save the expense and just get a stick-on tattoo. After all, you won’t be doing anything to rub it off. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/30 "2026-08-09T21:58:19Z")
In New South Wales the Executor - established either by the will or a decision from the court case - is obliged to carry out the wishes of the deceased where feasible, so lets assume you clearly articulate your desire for a port-mortem tattoo. The Executor has rights ahead of next-of-kin to make things happen for the estate, but the Anatomy Act gives the next-of-kin the primary consent right for the removal of tissue, donation etc for the body. From my quick, non-lawyerly skim, there is no prohibition on a valid request made in a will being carried out in the relevant laws (Public Health Act, Anatomy Act, Tattoo Industry Act, Human Tissues Act). There is a defence open to anyone against prosecution under the dead bodies part of the Public Health Act ‘if the defendant satisfies the court that the act or omission constituting the offence was done in compliance with any guidelines published by the Ministry of Health’. I’d take that as meaning that you have a legal pathway that allows you to do it, provided that you complied with all specifics of the Acts, eg regarding time before burial, where the body was stored, hygiene, etc. These are all relatively new or replacement laws, and I think reflect the basic and fairly modern idea that the deceased and those closest to them should have primary determination of what they do to their bodies, and the role of authority is to make sure that can happen in a transparent and safe manner. Your state and laws may vary. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/31 "2026-08-09T22:03:50Z")
I have an inkling that transport and storage of a corpse requires a state mortuary license. Putting a deceased person in your body art shop would bring on the authorities Prepare a legally binding contract ahead of death. Put your stipulations in writing. Designate your estate dollars to cover costs. Get a sharpie if you want to leave a message ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/32 "2026-08-09T22:07:20Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Putting a deceased person in your body art shop would bring on the authorities I never considered that the body would go to the tattoo artist; rather the opposite seems reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/33 "2026-08-09T22:07:58Z")
Like in the freezer? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/34 "2026-08-09T22:10:42Z")
Wherever the desairologist does their business. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/35 "2026-08-09T22:11:54Z")
For enough coin, bobs your uncle ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/36 "2026-08-09T22:17:09Z")
Transporting a corpse seems like it would be illegal. I mean, jeez, that would be; hospital to morgue to mortuary to funeral home to tattoo parlor back to funeral home and then to the graveyard. That’s a bunch of ambulance rides. I can’t see the PTB allowing you to be crammed in the trunk of someones car. So you gotta pay for the rides. Could get pricey. If you got the bucks I suppose you can do anything. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/37 "2026-08-09T23:11:54Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > morgue to mortuary to funeral home to tattoo parlor back to funeral home and then to the graveyard. …you missed the obligatory stop at the pub to show off the new tattoo to your mates who are thirstily waking you… ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/38 "2026-08-09T23:21:38Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I have an inkling ISWYDT ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/39 "2026-08-10T02:33:21Z")
My uninformed opinion is that it’s probably not illegal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you had trouble finding a tattoo artist willing to do it. The reason I’m watching this thread is because I want to know the why. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/40 "2026-08-10T03:21:23Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > The reason I’m watching this thread is because I want to know the why. Yeah, me, too. I’m trying to figure out a good reason someone who wants a tattoo would wait to be dead. So far I only have two ideas: 1. The (still living) body is an utter pain-phobe. But would it really be that hard to find a tattoo artist who would work on him while he was unconscious? Or just loaded with a suitable painkillre? 2. The (currently living) body made a foolish promise he has come to regret. Like, he swore to his momma that he would never never NEVER defile his body with a tattoo while there was a breath of life left in him … but he’s always yearned for a Yellow Rose of Texas on his bicep. And this is his way of wriggling out of the conflict. 3. ??? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-me-to-have-a-tattoo-added-to-my-body-after-i-die/1032247/41 "2026-08-10T03:27:02Z")
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