Published 13:19 IST, September 3rd 2019
Canadian man Chris Wenzel's dying wish: tattoos to be preserved
It was tattoo artist Chris Wenzel's last wish that the tattoos covering his body be preserved before he was buried so that his children could see the designs
It was tattoo artist Chris Wenzel's last wish that the tattoos covering his body be preserved before he was buried so that his children or for that matter his grandchildren will be able to witness and admire the complex designs. Chris was suffering from ulcerative colitis when he passed away at the age of 41 in his sleep.
Chris Wenzel was popular in his line of work in Saskatoon, Canada. While being the owner of a tattoo parlor, Electric Underground, he was very clear and open about his love for art and his passion for tattoos. Cheryl Wenzel stated that Chris was devoted to his work because "he more than loved tattoos".
Fulfilling a dying man's wish
In the months before he passed away, Chris found out about a US-based organization that had the power to make his dying wish come true. When he died, his wife Cheryl got in touch with Save My Ink Forever, which is known for removing and preserving inked skin. She said that she will fulfill her husband's wish no matter what. The company led by father-son duo, Michael and Kyle Sherwood, had the required tools along with guidelines and paperwork to make sure that the skin is removed and preserved properly. They uphold high standards and processes to preserve the tattoos.
Save My Ink Forever
Kyle Sherwood an ace embalmer and the current Director of the company was of the opinion that tattoos are a way of conveying someone's stories. He further added that getting inked had a meaning as they stayed on a person's body for a lifetime.
The company usually works with tattoos that are small in size but in Chris's case, Sherwood personally supervised the process after traveling to Saskatoon. He was successful in removing a few pieces that included his chest, arms, legs, and his back.
A complicated process that requires a specific formula to remove the skin through a surgical procedure was billed as a very expensive one. In Wenzel's case, Cheryl apparently states that it the estimated fee for preserving the many tattoos which covered much of her husband's upper torso, could exceed $60,635 or (Rs 32,85,000). “I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to get this done for him,” she told the Canadian Press. A fraction of the billed amount was raised through an online fundraising platform GoFundMe by his loved ones. The family of the deceased has plans of letting the public have access to the tattoos after they are framed at a tattoo expo in the spring season.
(With PTI inputs)
Updated 17:13 IST, September 3rd 2019