Wedding Band: When To Remove After Loss

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. The decision of what to do with a wedding ring after the death of a partner is a challenging one, and there is no right or wrong answer. Some people choose to continue wearing their wedding ring, while others remove it almost immediately. Some widows and widowers wear their wedding rings until they feel ready to take them off, while others continue to wear them forever. For some, a ring serves as a reminder of their spouse and helps them feel safe and close to their departed partner. For others, the pain of losing their spouse is too much to bear, and they can't stand to look at reminders of their loved one.

Move it to your right hand

Moving your wedding ring to your right hand is a common practice for widows and widowers. This can be a good first step if you are still having a tough time letting go of your spouse. Moving the ring to your right hand takes away some of the significance that wearing it on your left hand holds. You can begin to think of your wedding ring as a widow or widower ring, reinforcing the idea that you are moving on and letting go of aspects of your past life.

Moving your wedding ring to your right hand is a universal sign that you are a widow or widower and may be open to dating. This can be a difficult thing to navigate, especially if you are still grieving. However, it allows you to keep holding on to the person you love while indicating your current unmarried status. Some people will move their ring to their right hand temporarily, while others will keep it there indefinitely.

If you do decide to remarry, it is typical to completely remove a right-handed wedding ring. Continuing to wear your old wedding ring once you are remarried is uncommon and could cause conflict with your new spouse. However, this is a very personal choice, and everyone will come to a different decision.

There is no time frame for when you should stop wearing your wedding ring, and there is no single reason why people choose to stop wearing them. Just remember that by continuing to wear your ring, you are signalling to others that you are not available.

Wear it on a necklace

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. The grief and pain can be overwhelming, and everyone handles it differently. Some people find comfort in holding on to their wedding band, while others may find it too painful to be reminded of their loss. For those who choose to keep their wedding band close, wearing it on a necklace is a popular option. Here are some reasons why someone might choose to do this:

Keeping the Memory of Your Marriage Close

A wedding band is a symbol of the love and commitment shared between spouses. When a spouse passes away, that bond is not broken, and the ring can serve as a reminder of the love and life shared with them. Wearing the ring on a necklace can be a way to keep that memory close to your heart, both physically and emotionally. It can also be a way to feel your spouse's presence with you, even though they are no longer physically with you.

A Constant Reminder

The familiar weight of a wedding band on your finger can be comforting to some, but for others, it may be too painful to bear. Moving the ring to a necklace can be a way to still keep it close without the constant visual reminder of the loss. It can be a compromise between letting go and holding on—a way to begin the process of moving forward while still honouring the memory of your spouse.

A Compromise for Yourself and Others

In some cases, wearing a wedding band on your finger after the death of a spouse may invite unwanted attention or pressure from others. Moving the ring to a necklace can be a subtle way to keep wearing it without having to explain your choices to others. It can also be a way to respect the wishes of family members or friends who may prefer you no longer wear the ring on your finger.

A Way to Include Your Spouse's Ring

If you have your spouse's wedding band, you can add it to the necklace as well. This can be a meaningful way to symbolise the marriage covenant you made to each other and keep the memory of your spouse close to your heart. It can also be a way to feel a deeper connection to your spouse, as if they are still with you in spirit.

Ultimately, the decision to wear a wedding band on a necklace after the death of a spouse is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and it is essential to do what feels most comfortable and meaningful for you.

Have it redesigned

Losing a spouse is one of the hardest things to experience. It is the loss of the person you chose to spend your life with. Deciding what to do with your wedding ring after your spouse's passing can be challenging and is a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong time frame for when you decide to remove your wedding band or what to do with it. Your reasons for doing so are up to you and no one else.

• You may want to continue wearing your wedding ring, but perhaps not as a ring. Redesigning it into a different piece of jewellery, such as a brooch or a necklace, allows you to still wear it without having to explain its meaning to people.
• Redesigning your wedding ring can be a way to carry your spouse's memory with you into a new chapter of your life. You can choose to add elements or remove certain details of your wedding ring to create something new.
• You can have your wedding ring redesigned into multiple pieces of jewellery for your children.
• Redesigning your wedding ring can make it easier to wear without signalling your marital status to others.
• You can have your wedding ring melted down and turned into a pendant or coin, which can then be engraved with your spouse's name or your wedding date.
• You may consider repurposing your wedding ring to be made into a fingerprint ring with your spouse's fingerprint etched around the band.

Gift it as an heirloom

Gifting your wedding ring as an heirloom is a meaningful way to celebrate your spouse's life and can be a continuous cycle of love. It can be a way to extend family history and tradition into your new marriage and the next generation. It can also be a way to keep your spouse's memory alive and close to your heart.

There are a few things to consider when deciding to gift your wedding ring as an heirloom. Firstly, it is important to choose the right person to pass the ring to. This could be your child, another family member, or even a close friend. Consider the sentimental value the ring holds for you and the potential recipient. If the ring has been in your family for generations, you may want to choose a family member who will continue the tradition. If the ring holds special memories of a deceased family member, consider passing it on to someone who knew and loved them. Alternatively, you may want to choose someone who simply admires the ring and would appreciate its beauty and history.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to gift the ring as-is or make some modifications. Some people choose to reset the stones or redesign the ring to create a new piece of jewellery that reflects the recipient's style and personality. This can be a way to modernise the ring and make it more wearable for the next generation. However, others prefer to preserve the original setting and design, especially if it holds significant sentimental value. If you do decide to make changes, it is important to communicate openly with the recipient and the previous owner of the ring, if possible, to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the modifications.

When gifting the ring, you may want to share the stories and history behind it. Pass on any special memories associated with the ring, such as how you received it, what it symbolised for you, and why it is important to you. This can add to the ring's sentimental value and make it even more meaningful for the recipient.

Finally, remember that there is no rush to make a decision. Take the time to grieve and process your loss before deciding what to do with your wedding ring. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what you choose to do with your ring, and it is entirely up to you to decide what feels most comfortable and meaningful.

Bury it with your spouse

Burying your wedding ring with your spouse is a way to express your love physically and symbolically. It is a way to keep your wedding bands close to your spouse's heart as they meet their final resting place. It is a common practice for families to bury their loved ones with special tokens, and your wedding ring can be a way to keep your love alive even after your spouse's death.

If you decide to bury your wedding ring with your spouse, you can ask for the ring to be placed on their finger or kept somewhere on their person. This can be a meaningful way to say your final goodbye and provide a sense of closure as you navigate the grieving process. It is important to note that once the ring is buried, there is no way to retrieve it. Therefore, you should be sure that you are ready to part with it before making this decision.

Burying your wedding ring with your spouse can be a way to honour their memory and symbolize moving forward. It can be a healing experience as you honour the life they lived while also letting go of the past. This can be especially meaningful if you decide to bury both your ring and your spouse's ring together, uniting them in their final resting place.

Additionally, burying your wedding ring can be a way to keep your spouse's memory alive. Your ring may spark memories that only you and your spouse shared, and burying it with them can be a way to hold onto those special moments. It can also be a way to feel closer to your spouse, even though they are no longer physically with you. The ring can serve as a reminder of the love and commitment you shared, providing comfort during difficult times.

Ultimately, the decision to bury your wedding ring with your spouse is a personal one. There is no right or wrong time frame for removing your wedding band after the death of your spouse. You may choose to continue wearing your ring until you feel ready to part with it, or you may decide that burying it with your spouse is the best way to honour their memory and find closure.

Frequently asked questions