Memorial Tattoo Idea

[Melody Pond]

My Grandad passed away an October ans was terminally ill for years. During this time I started thinking of tattoos.

My Grandad's name means Graceful and my Nan's name means Peace. This made me think of a dove.
My Nan is still alive but she was also ill so I planned to incorporate her into the tattoo.

I have wanted a dove tattoo for a while now but I wanted to make it a bit different in a way as doves are pretty common tattoos.
I am not religious and to me a dove with an olive branch is a religious symbol.

After thinking about it some more I think I have come up with an idea.
My uncle was diagnosed terminally ill at the beginning of January and his name means crown so I was thinking of having a dove with a small golden crown over it's head and that way it represents all 3.

I have looked a crown tattoos and some are gorgeous but I can't afford 2 separate tattoos and I think have all 3 in the one tattoo will be nice.

The type of dove I want is a plan and simple outline of a dove.
Like this: http://www.clker.com/clipart-3292.html
I am thinking of getting it on my shoulder blade (Like this) or at the bottom of my neck (like this) so it is easily hidden for future jobs but I can show it off when I want too.

What do people think about the tattoo and placement and everything? Any suggestions for changes?
The dove is going to be a simple dove outline so should I keep the crown as a simple crown like one of these but golden/yellow: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-ill...igns-final.php
I quite like the 2nd one there or should it be even simpler?

I know a dove with a crown is probably still common but I don't mind as it is personal and has meaning to me.

EDIT:
I have been messing around on paint and this is a rough idea but I would like the crown to be in colour.

I am not sure about that crown.
I am not going to get a huge tattoo so I am worried that over time the crown will end up just looking like a blob.

[Melody Pond]

Thanks for the help guys...

[anony mouse.]

Sorry, Rachel. People are impatient in this forum these days!
Anywhoo, I agree with the crown turning into a blob...the smaller the tattoo is, the more chance there is that it will turn into a weird looking dot over time. Another thing--when you get colors (especially yellow) in a tattoo, they fade fast. You gotta remember you're going to have this tattoo for the rest of your life (unless you go through the long and painful process of getting it removed). I would say if you really want this I'd get the crown a little bit bigger and I probably wouldn't do it in colors, either.

[Melody Pond]

Do colours fade faster on really pale skin?

I wouldn't mind going and getting the colour of the crown touched up every now and again.

I guess I would have to go to a tattoo artist and ask them what the minimum size would be to keep the crown looking like a crown because I don't want the tattoo to be huge.

Anyone know roughly what the pain will be like with this one? It is just an outline and won't be huge so it shouldn't take long. My Mum said the outline hurt most on hers but others have said the colours and shading hurt more.
I think the part that will hurt the most will be where I get it. At the bottom of my neck is on my spine so I can imagine that to hurt more...

[Kitty.]

I have never heard that tattoo colors fade more quickly on pale skin. That is something that you should ask the tattoo artist.

The part on the spine will definitely hurt the most, but overall, it shouldn't be too bad.