What do you do with your wedding ring after your spouse dies? Should you keep wearing it or take it off? What about your deceased spouse’s ring? What about the engagement ring? For many widows and widowers it’s a real dilemma. It was for me. You can read about it in my blog post.
The answer to the question of what to do with the wedding rings(s) is this: Do whatever you want and whatever feels right to you and gives you comfort!
Check out some ideas below!
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Move ring(s) from left to right hand
After losing your spouse, it may not “feel right” anymore to continue wearing your wedding ring on your left hand (or the right hand, if that’s the marriage hand in your country or culture). You’re technically not married anymore but may want to keep wearing your ring. Many widows and widowers choose to switch their rings to the other hand after losing their spouse.
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Wear your spouse’s ring on a chain (make sure it’s sturdy and secure)
I did this for a while and it gave me great comfort.
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Wear your spouse’s ring on a leather cord (check knots frequently to make sure they’re secure)
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Ring holder necklace
I just recently found out about these and I wish I would have known years ago that they exist. I love the design of this ring holder necklace on Etsy. There are lots of designs available on Amazon, Etsy and other sites. Just google “ring holder necklace” for lots of options.
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Add a simple black ring as a mourning ring
I did this in my second year, wore my anniversary ring, engagement ring and a black enamel ring in front of it, on my right hand.
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Wear only a black (“mourning”) ring
I still wear this a lot.
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Keep rings in a special jewelry box or small keepsake box
This is a wooden box one of my children decorated many many years ago (one of those small wooden boxes from the crafts section). I lined it with felt and put the rings in it.
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Mourning or Widows Ring
I saw this beautiful Broken Heart Widows Ring online soon after my husband passed away. I really liked it but never bought it because of the cost. There are many other beautiful designs available.