Exploring Cremation: Wedding Ring, What's The Verdict?

Deciding what to do with a wedding ring after a spouse's death can be difficult. Some people may want to be cremated with their wedding ring on as a way to symbolically start fresh in the afterlife or keep their spouse close. However, crematoria advise removing jewellery during cremation to prevent loss or damage, and no metals are allowed on the body during the process. As such, it is a personal decision with pros and cons on both sides.

Pros and cons of being cremated with your wedding ring on

Being cremated with your wedding ring on is a personal decision, and there are several factors to consider. Here are some pros and cons to help inform your choice:

Pros:

• Symbolism of Letting Go: Cremating with your wedding ring on can be a symbolic way to let go of the past and start fresh in the afterlife. This can be especially meaningful if you are grieving and struggling to let go of your past relationship.
• Keeping Your Spouse Close: Some people believe that being cremated with their wedding ring allows them to keep their spouse close, even after death. This can provide comfort and a sense of security during a difficult time.
• Ceremonial Value: For some, it is important that their wedding ring is with them during the cremation process as a ceremonial way to dispose of their remains. This is especially true if the spouse has already been cremated or buried with their ring, as it symbolises love and commitment.

Cons:

• Loss or Damage: Crematoria advise removing jewellery during cremation to prevent loss or irreparable damage. High temperatures can affect certain metals, and valuable jewellery may be at risk.
• Family Heirlooms: Wedding rings often become cherished family heirlooms, passed down through generations. By keeping the ring, it can be a source of comfort and fond memories for spouses, children, or grandchildren.
• Estate Implications: Removing valuable jewellery before cremation may be necessary to honour the wishes stated in a will. This can help ensure that specific jewellery, such as a wedding or engagement ring, is passed on to the intended beneficiary.
• Safety Concerns: Jewellery may pose safety risks during the cremation process, as certain metals may not be suitable for high temperatures. It is important to consider the potential impact on the cremation procedure.

Crematoria's advice on jewellery during cremation

Crematoria advise that jewellery be removed during cremation to prevent loss or damage. They are not legally responsible for valuables left on the body. Therefore, it is a personal decision whether to include jewellery during cremation, but it may have estate implications.

Cremation Process

Crematoria only allow one body to be cremated at a time, and ashes must be removed before another cremation can take place. The cremation process takes 90 minutes to two hours to oxidise most of the body, and all metals must be removed before cremation.

If you choose to remove jewellery before cremation, you can place the wedding ring inside the urn with the ashes, bury it with the remains, give it to a family member, or donate it to charity.

Jewellery made from materials that can withstand extreme heat, such as stainless steel, copper, gold, and palladium, can be included with the body during cremation. However, jewellery made from gold, silver, or platinum will melt and should be removed.

Burial vs. Cremation

In the case of a traditional burial, the deceased can be buried with their jewellery.

What to do with a wedding ring after a spouse's death

Deciding what to do with a wedding ring after the death of a spouse is a highly personal decision. It is also a difficult one, as the ring is a symbol of love and commitment and often has immense sentimental value. Here are some options for what to do with a wedding ring after a spouse's death:

Bury or Cremate the Ring with the Deceased

When the deceased is buried, the ring can be buried with them. This is a ceremonial way to dispose of a loved one's remains, and the idea of placing valuables in the casket, such as a wedding ring, is something that many people accept with relative ease. In the case of cremation, the ring can be placed inside the urn with the ashes, making it both ceremonial and retrievable.

Keep the Ring

The rise in cremation has made it more common for personal items like wedding rings to be kept by the surviving spouse or family members. The ring can be slipped off before cremation and kept as a memento. It can be worn on a necklace, redesigned by adding a memorial diamond, or simply kept in a safe place.

Pass the Ring to the Next Generation

The wedding ring can be passed on to children or grandchildren as an heirloom. It can be included in a legal will as a form of inheritance, ensuring that it stays within the family and is passed down to someone the deceased loved.

Give the Ring a Ceremonial Goodbye

If the surviving spouse is ready to let go of the wedding ring, a special ceremony can be held to say goodbye to it. This can be a private ceremony or include other family members, and it can be held on a special date such as the deceased's birthday or wedding anniversary.

Frame the Ring

The wedding ring can be framed along with a picture of the couple. This allows the surviving spouse to reminisce about the memories shared with their partner and can be a comforting way to keep the ring as a memento.

Ultimately, the decision of what to do with a wedding ring after a spouse's death is a personal one, and there is no right or wrong answer. It is important to take the time to consider all options and make a decision that feels right for the individual.

The executor's role in deciding whether to remove jewellery before burial

The role of an executor is complex and time-consuming, and it involves a multitude of tasks and decisions. One of these decisions is whether to remove jewellery, such as a wedding ring, before burial or cremation.

Firstly, it is important to note that cremation requires the removal of all metals from the deceased's body. This is due to safety concerns, as some metals cannot withstand the high temperatures of cremation and may melt. Therefore, if cremation is chosen as the method of disposition, jewellery must be removed.

In the case of a traditional burial, however, the executor has the option to bury the deceased with their jewellery. This decision is a personal one and can be influenced by the wishes of the deceased, the preferences of the family, and the potential estate implications.

If the deceased has expressed a desire to be buried with their wedding ring, the executor may honour that wish. Some people view burying a person with their wedding ring as a symbolic way to honour their commitment and keep their spouse close even after death. On the other hand, a wedding ring can also be kept by the living as a cherished heirloom and a symbol of the profound relationship. This decision should be carefully considered, especially if there are specific instructions regarding jewellery in the will. If the will states that certain jewellery, such as a wedding or engagement ring, should be passed on to a beneficiary, the executor must honour those wishes and not bury the jewellery with the deceased.

In addition, the executor should also be mindful of the value of the jewellery and take necessary safeguards to prevent theft or loss during the funeral process. In some cases, "fake" wedding rings of lesser value may be placed on the deceased to symbolise the marriage while allowing the actual wedding ring to remain with the family.

Ultimately, the decision to remove jewellery before burial rests with the executor and should be made in consultation with the family and legal professionals, taking into account the wishes of the deceased, the potential sentimental value of the jewellery, and any relevant estate implications.

Alternatives to being cremated with your wedding ring on

Deciding what to do with a wedding ring before cremation is a personal decision, and there are several alternatives to being cremated while wearing it. Here are some options to consider:

Place it in the urn with the cremated remains

Even if your loved one cannot be cremated while wearing their wedding ring, it can still be added to the urn before it is given to the family. This option ensures that the ring always remains with the deceased's remains, whether the urn is kept at home or buried in a cemetery plot.

Pass it on to a family member

Another option is to pass on the wedding ring to a family member as a cherished heirloom. For example, a parent may pass their wedding ring to an adult child, who can wear it on the ring finger of their right hand. Alternatively, the ring could be given to a grandchild. This allows the memory of the deceased to be carried on through the generations.

Donate or sell it to raise funds for charity

As people age, they may become less attached to material possessions and more interested in helping others. Donating or selling the wedding ring to raise funds for a charity close to the deceased's heart can be a meaningful way to honour their memory and make a positive impact.

Create a piece of memorial jewellery

Cremation jewellery, such as cremation rings or pendants, can be made using a small portion of the deceased's cremated remains or even their ashes. This type of jewellery is becoming increasingly popular and allows family members to keep their loved one close, creating a family tree of sorts.

Keep it as a symbol of the relationship

A wedding ring can be a profound symbol of the relationship between spouses. Keeping the ring rather than cremating it can be a way to cherish the memory of the deceased spouse and the commitment they shared. It can also be passed down to children or grandchildren as a family heirloom.

Frequently asked questions