Eight months -- it is still on, too much reality to have it turned off. I can't even look at pictures of him, or listen to any music that was familiar to us (which is almost everything). I am sure these issues will be rectified, during or after my upcoming nervous breakdown.

It's hard because it's simply a feeling of losing yet another connection....One more thing that tells us he/she is no longer with us on this earth. That we'll never get another call from that number and hear that familiar voice again. It's normal what you're going through.....maybe though, when you do disconnect it, you can send yourself a beautiful bouquet.....from him. Peace now. :-)

Hi, I'm at 7 months, and still haven't turned it off. I still call it every once in a while just to hear that greeting.

My plan comes up for renewal in December, and I'll think about it then. Not sure if I'll cancel or not? And you are right. It feels silly to waste the money on it, but the comfort it brings for me? PRICELESS! I kept his car too, even with all the repairs it needed, andf my son is driving it now. I thought it would be too weird, but in a starange way it's good!!

So just do what you feel is right when you feel you can. and know that you are not alone in this!

Hugs, Diane

it took me a couple of months to have it shut of..money purposes..but not before i forwarded all his textes to my email...and copied all his stuff...and pics...i still have it..and it is on, with my picture on it..but its not functional....its funny but sometimes when i go out where it is..it lights up....i just think he is saying hi to me...

You are not alone having that struggle; I kept his phone for a few months. First, I was in a total disbelieve and calling his number was part of it. Later I kept calling just to hear his greeting, his voice.
Finally, one day I made a decision that I have his videos where he is talking to me directly, I dont need to keep his outgoing impersonal message.
But you do it in your own pace, because it is absolutely ok, and as normal as it gets in our circumstances. It will help if you find and alternative, as I found those videos on my computer, after that it was easier to close that account, because I did not loose his voice, but
merely an extra expense every month.
I hope you will better knowing you are not alone, others went through the same dilemma, and found the solution eventually. Hug...

Mike passed on July 1, 2010. I still have his phone on but have prepared to have the account closed. I emailed all of his text messages and photos to my email. I also recorded his voice from his voicemail and sent it to my phone and computer. You will turn it off when you are ready. A friend of mine left her husband's account activated for 3 years. To each his own!

My husband didn't have a cell phone when he died, but I kept the call logs from the last few times he called me on mine as long as I could. You just want so badly to stay connected any way you can. Do what works for you and don't let anyone try to tell you what's "normal." There is nothing "normal" about losing your spouse and grief is different for everyone.

I didn't have any problem with this. Jim had two cell phones stolen at the Veteran's. I never replaced them after that. I figured no phone I am not going to pay.

I cancelled my "go" phone and kept Mike's cell.I still have his outgoing message on it and all his phone numbers. Eventually I will replace it since it is about $50 a month and I only use it for about 60 min. a month! I just can't be bothered with getting a really good one with all the gadgets...I'm just not that concerned with being in touch with the techno world 24/7...we'll see what happens when his contract expires...

I bought my husband a new iphone for his birthday last September knowing it would only be a few months, but I just wanted him to have a nice phone. My stepdaughter had a crappy phone, when he passed away I gave her the phone. It was not something I thought about. I have several voice mails from him that I have saved so I have his voice.

I had a very hard time with this, my husband passed 5 months ago. I had to turn it off due to money purposes but I changed my sim chip from my phone to his so I could use it. If I could have kept it I know it would still be connected. I broke down while I did it but I didnt have any other choice.

I did the same thing others did. I kept calling it just to hear his voice. After about three months, I made the decision to cut it off. I can actually remember the last time I called the number and heard his voice. I wanted to get all my finances in order and I just realized that it was something I needed to do. Good luck to you and do it in your own time.

Nessie from KY

I gave up trying and instead transitioned his cell phone into our home phone. It's been two years, two weeks, and is still comforting to call home and hear his voice on the voicemail message.

I did turn it off at 3 months the cost was to much. The day I did it I took it to verizon and in the parking lot I called his number just to hear his voice when I heard it I realize that when I turn it off I felt like I was turning him off. Stupid but that is how I felt. I must of called it at least 20 times before I walked in the store. I cried so hard the girl at the counter was so nice. She did not charge me for the disconnet fee. It has been 16 months but I still have his voice on the answering machine at home. I just can not change it. I find myself sometimes in the middle of day calling it just to hear his voice. It sounds so strong like I want to remember him. I just tell people if they do not want to hear it to hang up after three rings.

You will know when the time is right. There is no rush to make any changes until you are ready. Every change is so hard...hugs Lu Ann