You can put what ever you want. I do it all the time. Whoever came up with that termanology anyhow. I hate those words widow and widower.

I'm just happy to see widow on the form. I've seen some where it's either single or married. I even saw one with single, married, separated. Guess I could have gone for the separated one.

I put married I will always put married. If I were you I would put married in tell you are ready to take the next step. No one is rushing you take all the time you need.

I also hate those words!! I still work and I had to change my status for work and all they have is single or married. I put single but in no way am I single. I'm married. I still wear my ring!!

Yea, it really hit me the first time I had to make that acknowledgement. I prefer the term widow to single as well. I do not feel like a single person at all!

Hate the words widow/widower, who came up with this term anyway!
I check married

In the eyes of the law, I am widowed but in my heart I am still married.

I agree with all of you and hate having been put in this position that we have to even discuss this.
As for Handgs line "in the eyes of the law" I can only respond with a very famous quote, " If this be the law, then the law is an ass".

Best Regards, George

Using the term "widow" is sobering for me but seems a bit personal. Why is it people's business? Many years ago my British grandmother let people know she was a widow. I guess back in the day widows did not get many benefits. My grandmother would loudly complain to the manager of the grocery store "79 cents for bacon? I'm a widow. I can't afford these prices!" I smile when I think of this when I am shopping.

I think it is a personal choice to say you are married. As for signing the church guest book, I might think it is a way for your church to traffic the congregation and find out what groups of people they may minister to. There may be activities or groups that may be a good fit for couples, widowed people and single as well.

Maggie

Good point, Maggie.

I second that Maggie. It's a good point.

Last year when I had to fill out my income tax, that was a killer. Because even though I claimed married, they also ask if your spouse died that same year. Now this hear I get to claim agin the same way but after this year it is either single or head of household. I had to change my w2 also for this year and that was just another permanent step in this journey.

Thanks everyone, married it is for me. It just hurt. Steps we have to take.

It seems most forms only recognize married or single. I am neither. I am widowed which is drastically different than single. For legal docs I have to put single if widow is not an option...for anything else I write in widow.