Thank you all for the imput. She actually had 2 wedding rings she wore I burried her with one and put the other one on my left hand and don;t want to remove it, I feel like Sandee said when I go then maybe I will stop being married to her.
When the pastor told me that I was pretty shocked and really did not say anything. Said she was married to God now, I thought at the time thay it was rather insensitive, I don't believe it she is in a better place yes, but our marriage was more than just marriage, she was my soul mte truely, that has to last forever. Thanks again for your thoughts this place really helps me a lot.

My husband passed away July 27th and I am still wearing my wedding ring and have no intention of removing it. I also wear his wedding band on my third finger, right hand and his watch which is the big face.

I moved my wedding ring to my right hand a few months after my wife's death. The empty left hand ring finger reminds me that the vows are complete, and the ring on my right hand reminds me that one of God's precious creations loved me enough to give her life to me for almost 30 years.

Leave your wedding ring where it is if that is what makes it right for you. As for your pastor; I would look for a new one if something so sacred as marriage is taken so lightly within a religious community.

Maggie

I wore mine for a long time because I wanted to. Then I wore them around my neck for a period of time. I have a small area in my bedroom where I have set up a memory table area. Just a table with his ashes in a beautiful oak box(the kids will place us together when I am gone and take us to our specified resting place together) A picture of him when we married and one taken before his accident sits on each side. The bible his parents gave him as a child beside them. I have placed the words dream above it , a picture with the word dream and a memory box on the wall above. In the memory box are his service meals, my rings and a few mementos that means something to us. I have a rocking chair beside it which is where I pray and meditate and sometimes just relive memories. It has been over 6 years but this area brings me comfort on hard days! My mother in law told me it was morbid but I don't agree. It is a lovely area just for me no one needs to approve what I do for me.

Should say medals not meals!

As you have read, it is strickly up to you!! Those of us who have been widowed for a few years went through the same thing that you are going through ~~ about the rings. (didn't have a preacher tell me what yours did though!!).
I wore my rings for about 19 months and then moved them to my right hand and wore a widow's ring on my left hand. I wore my engagement and wedding ring for 38 1/2 yrs and my left hand, third finger has to have a ring on now!!
My widow's ring has 38 tiny black diamonds (for our 38 yrs.) set in 3 rows (we have 3 children). There is a row of white diamonds on either side of the 3 rows of black ones. To me, that is Joe and me separated by death.
Now, I seldom wear either of those rings. I have several others and match them to outfits ~~ I just need rings on my fingers!

Everyone has to do what their heart tells them to do. No one else should have a say. Joely

My ring has been on my finger for 21 years and as of today can't come off. I'm heavier today than I was 21 years ago. My wife just died 5 weeks ago and my weeding ring is a reminder of our wonderful 21 years together. I feel it and look at it daily and it is a reminder of our love and commitment together. There are days where I tried to take it off to see how I would feel without my ring and than there are times where I think that I will never take my wedding ring off. You'll know what to do when the time is right. There is no right or wrong way. It is what your heart leads you to do.

Thanks to all of you for your imput. I tried it on the right hand. That lasted for a day it is right back where it has been for 31 years so I'll just see how it goes. Thanks again for your thoughts.

I still wear my ring and have never thought about taking it off. I do not care what people think. I do it because that is what feels right to me. I don't care if people think I am not married anymore, In my eyes I am. I think you should do what feels right to you. That is all that matters.