Any widow who has lost a loved one and has the courage to talk about his experiences will know that there is no right or wrong way to move on, that grieving is forever, and how long you choose to keep the belongings of your beloved who is departed is mainly dependent on your personal preferences, what (and when) feels right to you.
So, as a widow grieves and starts to wonder if they are taking too long to let go, we’re here to remind you that you have nothing to rush through; everything to do with healing takes as long as it needs to.
And so, if you are still wearing your wedding ring months or even years after your spouse passes, you should know that you get to wear your ring for as long as you’d love to.
If you’re looking for more information about this rather complex and sensitive subject, keep reading as we learn more about it all.
Can a widow continue to wear her wedding ring?
Yes, a widow can continue to wear her wedding ring for as long as she feels comfortable and okay.
It is important to bear in mind that after such an unfortunate loss of a spouse, there is no rule book to follow when it comes to what to do and what not to do, and you get to wear the wedding ring for as long you wish, on your finger, or even around your neck as a pendant necklace.
You could also wear both your ring and your beloved’s. Again, there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
And even if you ever get into a new relationship and feel the need to hold onto the ring, you may want to talk about all that with your new partner, explaining the meaning of the ring to them and keeping it on until you’re ready to take it off or wear it differently.
And yes, you can keep the ring on forever if you wish.
How long should a widow wear her wedding ring?
The truth is that a widow doesn’t get to live on anyone’s clock when it comes to how long they want to keep on the wedding ring, and in many cases, most widows will keep their wedding ring on for months, years, or in other cases, for the rest of their lives. There is no timetable for such things and grief.
Do widowers wear their wedding ring on the right hand?
After the death of one’s spouse, the widower or widow often gets to choose how they keep the ring on, especially when they are not ready to take it off or ‘move on, and that is okay.
For widowers who choose to remarry, they will keep their old wedding rings on after. But this is primarily a personal choice, and everyone does what feels right to them.
That said, widowers often move their wedding rings to their right hand as a universal sign that they are widowers and that perhaps, they are ready for something new/ different.
So, before you think of moving the ring to the right hand, think of what it means and if you’re ready to make the next move in life or not. Remember that when you make such a move, your decision may mean being approached by people who could be interested in dating you.
If you are not ready or think that you may find it too much of a challenge to navigate the new changes or possibilities, it means that you are still grieving, and you might not be ready to make the change, whether it means taking it off or switching hands to the right.
When should a widow stop wearing her wedding ring?
None of us can tell a widow how long she has until she has to stop wearing the wedding ring. At the end of the day, you get to do what feels right for you, and if you are ready to go back into the dating pool in months or years, it is all up to you and how you grieve.
And so, we’ll reiterate that you should never let anyone put pressure on you regarding what you must do or what amount of time you need until you get back out there. It is ultimately all up to you.
You get to stop wearing the wedding ring when you are ready, not in anyone’s time frame. Also, remember that from the moment you stop wearing the ring, it will be your signal to the world and others that you have ‘moved on and are available. Keeping the ring on means that you are unavailable.
What to do with an engagement or wedding ring when widowed?
So then, what are some of the things you could do with the wedding or engagement ring after being widowed?
- Keep wearing it – though this is a complicated decision, it is a choice that only you get to make. Remember that you don’t really need a reason to keep wearing the ring.
- Incorporate the memorial diamond – you may want to keep the ring on and give it a refreshed look. In such cases, you could incorporate some special elements like diamonds.
- Move it to your right hand – well, do this only if you are ready to move on or find someone else because moving it to the right hand often indicates that you’re ready to move on.
- Wear iron the necklace as a pendant – this is quite common, and it is the best way to keep the ring close to your heart. You could have either one ring or even two rings on the chain, and the best part is that anyone who sees it – and everyone will, will be aware of your spouse’s passing and marital status.
Conclusion
We’d like to convey our condolences to you for the loss of your beloved and, in the same breath, remind you that you are doing great and don’t have to feel pressured about when to remove the ring or switch hands.
Grieve for as long as you need to, and keep the ring on for as long as you feel comforted.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.