There seems to be a question about whether or not widows and widowers should continue to wear their wedding rings. There are some who seem to think they have all the answers and have the right to tell the rest of us what we should or should not do. That doesn’t sit right with me. What gives anyone the right to tell me when I should stop wearing my engagement and wedding rings? I do not want to remove my rings. I still feel married. The rings connect me to Rich. I can’t take them off.
When Rich passed away, I started watching videos on YouTube related to grieving and the grief journey. Some of the videos are done by widows and widowers sharing their story. Some are done by psychologists and psychiatrists and people educated in grief support.
My favorite ones were from the Centre for the Grief Journey, specifically the short 1 to 3 minute videos done by Dr. Bill who answers different questions about grief. The answers are short and to the point and often very wise. One of them is entitled – when do I take my wedding ring off?
Dr. Bill said there was no right or wrong answer. He said to take the rings off when we feel ready and we want to take them off. Period.
Sounds right to me.
Catholic Prayer Life 