Portrait tattoos are realistic renderings of images and photographs. To memorialize a passed loved one with a portrait, choose your favorite picture of the person and take it to an experienced tattoos artist to develop a portrait stencil. The age of your loved one in the photograph does not have to be specific, but you should consider using a picture of him or her when young and happy as most people would like to be remembered that way.
Initials are a small and simple tattoo design that carries just as much weight and consideration as a large and extravagant one. They are extremely effective remembrances and are also ideal for first-timers or those who do not wish to have a lot of ink on their skin. They are small enough to fit in places that are easily covered by clothing, for professional and other purposes, but they still afford an artist the chance to express some artistic fortitude and generate a simply but beautiful tattoo.
For an advice quote, think a small piece of advice your passed loved one gave you -- it can be one word or several sentences -- and have these words tattooed in a beautiful script. You can choose a generic font, allow your artist to create the font or take time to create the letters yourself. Designing the script yourself can add a unique and personal quality to the tattoo, but it does require a level of artistic ability. Just remember, the more detailed and extravagant the letters, the larger the tattoo will need to be in order to read legibly and not appear jumbled.
If you or the person you are memorializing was a follower of a particular faith, consider having a religious symbol of that faith tattooed in his or her honor. Religious symbols, such as a cross for Christians, a star of David for Judaism, a crescent moon for Muslims or a small Buddha for Buddhists are peaceful and respectful images that can pay homage to a deceased loved one. In addition to the symbol, you should also consider adding either the person's name or initials as well as dates of his or her life.