Nails to die for: Derry nail technician offers her service to deceased loved ones

In a heartfelt blend of artistry and compassion, one local nail technician is breaking new ground by offering a specialised nail service to those who have passed on. 

Derry nail artist Natasha Kealey's 'mortuary nails' is an act of great sympathy and selflessness. 

Combining her talent, and deep respect for families' final goodbyes, she hopes to provide a unique way to honour people's loved ones, ensuring they look not only their best, but themselves, one last time. 

Taking to her Facebook page to announce the service, she said, "How many times have you said to a loved one 'Don't let anyone see me dead without my nails, hair, or lashes done?' I know I have and if I passed I'd hope someone could provide me with a service to make me look my best,"

"If your loved one has passed and they loved getting their nails done, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be more than happy to help give her (or him) that last request. This may be a bit of a morbid, slightly unusual post but just placing it out there, be it gel polish or acrylic, I'll provide a beautiful service for your loved one," she added. 

On why she decided to offer this one of a kind experience, Natasha said, "I have done it before for relatives, more so my granny. When she came out of the funeral home, they had done her hair and her makeup, now you know yourself, if there's a man doing makeup in a funeral home, it's not the same way as you know your granny or loved one would like it, so I did her nails, and my sisters did her hair and makeup." 

Just this past week, Natasha's best friend suffered a loss very close to her, and seeing the funeral home working with both the loved one who has passed away, and the families got her thinking, "I started googling to be a mortician," she laughed. 

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This wasn't something she had thought of previously, until the Derry woman came across a post of a beautician in the US doing something similar, working out of funeral homes, and that is when her idea struck. 

"I can't believe how much this has blown up," said the artist in regards to her social media post, which currently boasts over 300 likes and 50 comments. 

Natasha's service proves that despite the pain death brings, it can also be beautiful. 

She said, "I know myself if any of the relatives I have, passed away, the first thing they're going to get done, their nails." It is an out of of love, for love. 

Continuing, she reflects on the beautiful messages she has received, ""I did not realise how much this means to other people. Nobody ever talks about death, and what happens, I've had a lot of messages from people talking about their loved ones who had passed away, and how they had done their nails, and even clients telling me that when they pass away what colours they want," successfully opening up a sweet conversation on what is known to be a taboo topic among many communities in Ireland. 

"I'm there if anybody needs me," Natasha concluded. 

To book this service, or to schedule an appointment for nails yourself, you can following the incredible mother of three on Instagram, @nmcnails21_glamnails.