Widow Frames Late Husband’s Tattoo as Unique Tribute

When Angelica Radevski lost her husband, TJ, unexpectedly in March 2023, she made a choice that has captivated many online. Instead of opting for traditional mementos, the West Virginia nurse decided to preserve and frame a piece of his tattooed skin as a tribute. This striking decision has sparked widespread discussion, with her TikTok video on the subject garnering nearly 30 million views.

Angelica, 35, and TJ had a long friendship that blossomed into marriage in 2021. They shared a son, Preston, aged 10. After TJ’s sudden death at the age of 55, the family sought a way to remember him that resonated deeply with their shared experiences. They chose to preserve his tattoo of the Pittsburgh Steelers helmet, a design that featured skull imagery and the team’s iconic black and gold colors. It was not just any tattoo; it was the first sleeve tattoo TJ had and one that held special significance for both him and Preston.

In her TikTok video, Angelica explained, “I knew we were going to do this because we had talked about it before.” The decision was ultimately influenced by Preston, who identified the tattoo as representative of his father, saying, “This is Dad.”

After the funeral, Angelica marked the specific area of TJ’s right arm where the tattoo was located. A mortician subsequently removed the skin, which was then placed in a special preservation kit from the Ohio-based company, Save My Ink Forever. This process, which took approximately 90 days, allowed Angelica to receive the framed tattoo encased in glass and set in a dark wooden frame.

When the preserved tattoo was returned, Angelica described her feelings: “When he handed it to us, I was shocked. And it was a good shock — so many things you didn’t know you were missing instantly felt better.” The tattoo retained not just the ink, but also the texture of TJ’s skin, including details like fine wrinkles and stray hairs. As she shared on TikTok, “This isn’t a replica. You can see his hair, his wrinkles, the ink I kissed goodnight.”

This unique form of remembrance has provided Angelica and Preston with a tangible connection to TJ that they feel is more profound than a traditional urn. The act of framing the tattoo has allowed them to feel his presence in a way that is both comforting and intimate.

Despite the mixed reactions to her decision, Angelica remains undeterred. Some viewers have expressed admiration, while others have drawn comparisons to disturbing scenarios, including references to notorious figures like Jeffrey Dahmer. In response to criticism, she asserted, “Just because it’s not what you want, you don’t have to make me feel bad about it.”

Angelica hopes her experience can encourage others to engage in open discussions about death and to consider their own end-of-life wishes. After facing significant financial strain due to the lack of life insurance following TJ’s passing, she advocates for proactive planning. “Instead of planning for a wedding for a year, why don’t we start planning and making it normal and not so ugly to talk about death?” she suggested. “You can be prepared — both financially and with what you want for your body.”

Through her journey, Angelica not only honors her late husband but also seeks to inspire others to confront difficult topics surrounding mortality and legacy.