Whether you consider yourself married as a widow, widower, or widowed spouse is a matter of personal preference. Legally you are no longer married after the death of your spouse. A person whos lost their spouse may have made a vow to stay “married” for the rest of their life even after their spouse dies.

Are you still legally married if your spouse dies?

Whether you consider yourself married as a widow, widower, or widowed spouse is a matter of personal preference. Legally you are no longer married after the death of your spouse. Legally, when a spouse dies, the contractual marriage is broken and no longer exists.

Does a widow keep her husbands last name?

Widowed – A Womans Rights If a woman is widowed then she can keep her married name or if she wishes she can revert back to her maiden name. This is because the marriage certificate retains details of her maiden name.