Wearing a wedding ring when widowed

Widow here, I don't wear mine. We both had rings and I have got them put away together. We didn't wear our rings all the time when my DH was alive because I worked in the NHS as a clinician so constant handwashing. We had "dirty" hobbies, eg gardening, DIY and my husband was a biker too so many occasions where it would have been unsafe to wear a ring. We did used to wear them when out socially and DH wore his to work but we both took them off when we arrived home.

I lost my husband nearly 8 years ago after 40 years married. I finally took my rings off 2 years ago. I don’t love my husband any less, I still adore and miss him greatly, I just couldn’t bear to be reminded of my loss every time I looked at my hand with the rings still there. 😭

I’m originally from Switzerland, where it is the custom that, when widowed, you wear not only your own ring, but that of your late husband as well (having it taken in to fit, of course). So if you see a woman wearing two rings, you know she’s widowed. I remember that after my father died, my mother had her own, my father’s, and my grandmother’s wedding rings refashioned into a treble, knot-like ring which looked very pretty. As for myself, I only wear my wedding and engagement rings, as my husband didn’t wear one when he was alive.

My wedding ring became too tight a couple of years ago, and I haven’t got around to having it made a bit bigger. If I lost dh I’d still wear it though,

No, I don’t wear mine now, about five years after my husband died I began to feel it was wrong to do so as I wasn’t married any more. I was relatively young, with children still in school, and I was weary of being asked what my husband did etc., and having to explain he had died, with people wanting more information than I wanted to discuss. It made life a lot less stressful.

Married 44 yrs & ring was off & on due to my hobby of rock climbing. Had it made bigger lots of times & now wear on my right hand. But didn't want to appear available so wear what I call my widow ring which is very thin by comparison. However, I do have a partner now, we'll never marry but are committed. Hand felt very bare without my wedding band.

DH died two years ago. I shall always wear my wedding ring. I've taken it off only twice - when my fingers swelled during the epidural when DD1 was born - and it was cut off in A&E when I fell off my bike and my hand swelled. I'm still married to DH, he's still alongside (not in a spooky way).

I was widowed in 1997 (I was 35 at the time) - I wore my rings for many years afterwards. I can't remember when I stopped wearing it but think it was because it was wearing down my engagement ring so stopped both although I still wore the eternity ring my husband had bought me. It was my great grandmothers ring as well which I still have it.

I stopped wearing a wedding ring about 40 years ago, my husband died 8 years ago, I sold my engagement ring and both our wedding rings a couple of years ago.

I’ve been widowed six years now after 40 years of marriage and I won’t take off my wedding ring. Like Crossstitchfan I still feel married and also wear my DH wedding ring on my right hand.
Each to their own

My DH died 16 months ago. I wear my wedding ring and had his ring made to fit the middle finger of my left hand.

I'm confused about husbands and wedding rings.

When did it become a thing for the man to wear a wedding ring?

When I got married in the eighties, most men did not wear wedding rings and I was surprised when one of my sons announced he was buying one for his wedding about 12 years ago.

I’ve been widowed 5 years. I wore my rings for the first year, but then I decided it was time to take them off, as death had parted us and I am no longer married. It felt odd not wearing a ring at all, and I definitely don’t want to advertise myself as “available”, so now I just wear a selection of different rings to match whatever I’m wearing (mostly bought off EBay!) I think my husband would be happy with my decision.

i am 62 and have been widowed since i was 39, i still wear my ring, although my wedding ring got to tight for my finger i bought another one.

Still wear mine been widowed for 11 years

Not a widow but fairly sure my wedding/ engagement ring would remain in place if I am ever without my DH. Having said that it is a personal choice and perfectly ok either way .

I wore mine until I started dating, a few years after DH1's death.

My wedding ring got too small for me so I just took it off ... didnt feel the need to get a new one ...

I have been separated for 13 years and I still wear my wedding ring for no other reasons than I like it and it looks good with my inherited grandmothers engagement ring!

Always wear my wedding ring after being widowed nearly eight years. I was married fifty two years. I like people to know that I was married, and even going out with men friends, I still wear it, plus an eternity ring when I feel like it. I'd feel naked without it.

It's nobody else's business. It should be an individual choice.

I believe it is a personal choice and also alot depends on the age of the lady / man ..

think I would still wear my ring not something I would think of taking it off. if remarrying maybe put it on another finger or on a chain. its not the same as a divorce

My OH grandma was widowed in her early 30s.she wore her ring until her dying day at 103 yrs .

My friend was widowed at 45 she still wears hers at 66. I would always wear mine definitely. Been married 49 years.