Brit siblings have tattoos using ink mixed with grandfather's ashes

Brit siblings have tattoos using ink mixed with grandfather's ashes
March 23, 2011
Sify News

Two grieving siblings have paid a lasting tribute to their late grandfather by mixing his ashes with ink and etching them onto their skin.

Brother and sister Andrew and Helen Bird - from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire - were devastated when former RAF serviceman Reginald Alefs, 90, died from cancer in February, reports the Daily Mail.

Helen, 30, had the image of a heart and a single rose etched into her back - while brother Andrew, 27, transformed the ashes into a poetic extract.

Fittingly, the four lines Andrew used were taken from a poem written by Reginald himself

Helen said: "I heard about the idea on television and thought it would be a really good way of paying tribute to our granddad."

"He had a great sense of humour, so I think he would be happy knowing he will literally be under our skin for years to come," she added.

Andrew, added: "Neither of us had tattoos before, but when Helen mentioned the idea I thought it would be a really nice tribute to our granddad."

The tattoos were done by Paul Cutler, from Mow Cop, Staffordshire, who has been in the trade for more than 10 years.

Mr Cutler said: "This is the first tattoo I've done using someone's ashes and the first I've heard of it." (ANI)