Which hand and finger a widow’s wedding ring is worn on

Alas, sad events are part of every life. A woman can become widowed not only at an advanced age, but also when she is still quite young. In such a situation, the question arises quite reasonably – what to do with the wedding ring, which was given by the deceased husband? Wear? Take off? If worn, then on what finger?

Whether you can and whether you should wear your wedding ring after the death of your husband

Traditions in most countries say that as long as a woman is mourning, she should wear her wedding ring. And if the time of mourning has passed and she is ready for a new relationship, it is better to remove the wedding ring. The ring can be kept in a jewelry box or given to charity.

On which hand and finger a widow’s wedding ring is worn

In many cultures, it is believed that after the death of a spouse, the ring should be moved to another finger. The more precise prescriptions depend on the country of residence and religion.

• In Orthodoxy. Among Orthodox Christians, such as in Russia, it is customary to move the wedding ring from the right hand to the left hand. The finger remains unchanged – the ring finger.
• In Catholicism and Protestantism. In Europe, the United States and other Catholic and Protestant countries, the ring is moved to the ring finger of the right hand (in marriage, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand).
• In France. In France, there is a tradition to wear a wedding ring around the neck on a chain. Moreover, two rings can be worn at once: the deceased spouse’s and their own.
• In Judaism. In Judaism it is customary to remove the wedding ring at the death of a spouse. It can be kept at home or given to charity.
• Islam. Islam in principle has no concept of “wedding rings”. But quite often the husband presents a ring at the wedding as a memorable gift. Since this ring has no direct connection with marriage, it is not necessary to remove it or change the finger.
• In Buddhism. Buddhists rarely perform the rite of exchange of rings. But if it happens, then after the death of the spouse, the ring is taken off. This is due to the belief that the ring can retain a connection with the deceased and will prevent him from reincarnating in a new life.

If we talk about psychology, then experts in the field of mental sciences believe that the fate of the ring after the death of her husband depends largely on the plans of the woman. If she wants to forget the former marriage and / or is set on the search for a new companion, the ring is better not just remove, and give it to charity or pawnshop. If one wants to keep the memory, the ring is advised to leave it at home or wear it on the finger. However, in the latter case, the society will be transmitted a message that the lady is not ready for a new relationship.