The death of a spouse takes an unimaginable toll on widows and widowers. A 2016 survey revealed that in people over the age of 75, 28% of men and 58% of women had experienced a spousal death during their life. To today’s widows and widowers: You’re not alone.
One of the considerations widows and widowers must make is what to do with wedding rings after death, and this decision can be an emotionally cumbersome one. But, remember that your spouse would want you to do what’s best for your emotional health during this time.
There are numerous ways to honor your spouse with your decision about their wedding ring. I used one of the ideas in the following list, and I asked other widows and widowers about their experience to inspire you. There are plenty of meaningful ways to display, use or store your spouse’s most important piece of jewelry.
The Short Answer: Only You Can Decide
Only you can decide the best way to handle your spouse’s ring. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t run some of these ideas by your children, a fellow widow or widower, or your spouse’s family. Some input from others could even help you put your personalized spin on any of the ideas below.
In short, you have three big options for your spouse’s ring:
- You can use the ring.
- You can display the ring.
- You can store the ring.
I’ll elaborate on each option below, but perhaps that’s all you need to get your creative wheels turning.
The Long Answer: You Have Numerous Options
While your options are nearly endless, I’ve summarized a few crowd-sourced ideas below. Remember that consulting with your family while making a decision could help you and provide closure during your grief process.
Create a New Family Heirloom
The answer to what to do with wedding rings after death could be standing right in front of you (or could be photographed in a family album somewhere). If you have a younger relative like a child, grandchild, or otherwise, you could pass the ring to them to be used as a family heirloom.
Create a Commemorative Art Piece
Consider creating a shadow box with your spouse’s ring, a photo from your wedding, a scrap of fabric from your wedding gown, or any other keepsakes from your special day. Display it in your home to remind you of one of your most important moments together.
Create a New Piece of Jewelry
You can take your spouse’s ring to a jeweler, who can melt it down (and remove the stones, if applicable) to create a new piece of jewelry for yourself or a younger relative. Turning the ring into something you or a family member can wear every day is a creative way to keep your spouse’s memory alive.
Include the Ring in Burial Arrangements
Consider burying your spouse with their ring, placing the ring in their urn, or incorporating their remains in some other way. While this may sound cold to some, it could provide substantial closure for others; every relationship (and every grieving process) is different.
Save the Ring Until You’re Ready to Decide
Not sure what you want to do with your spouse’s ring yet? You have time to decide. Keep the ring in a safe, secure place until you’re ready to decide what to do with it. Or, store it indefinitely so that you can take it out whenever you like.
