Ideas for the Wedding Ring of a Deceased Father
After a parent passes away, items that were dear to them can serve as a comforting memento to survivors. Though a treasured item such as a wedding ring is priceless, finding a practical use for it can be difficult because of issues of style and size. There are many different ways to utilize a deceased father's wedding ring that will allow the surviving children to enjoy the feeling of having a parent near, or pass it along to a future generation.
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Save it for a Child
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Using the ring of a deceased grandparent is a great honor and a wonderful way to include those who have passed on in wedding festivities. Consider offering the ring to your son for his wedding, or allow a daughter to give it to her soon-to-be husband. When you offer the ring, use the opportunity to share some stories about your father, especially if he passed when your child was very young. This will make the ring more meaningful to the child and provide him with stories to pass on to his own children. Consider building the ring into the wedding ceremony by asking the pastor to say a few words about the ring and its previous owner.
Use the Raw Materials to Create a New Ring
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If you love the idea that the ring belonged to your father, but don't care for the ring's style, consider having it reformed into a new ring. Many jewelers are happy to melt an existing ring and reform it into a style you find more appropriate. This allows you to retain the metal that your father wore on his hand for so long while altering it into a style that you're happy to wear. If you're considering this option, be sure to think carefully about it. A ring that is melted down can never be returned to its original state, so don't make any brash decisions. If you have siblings, you may want to consult them before having the ring melted.
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Wear the Ring as a Necklace
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If the ring is too large to wear on your finger, consider stringing a sterling silver chain through it and wearing the ring as a necklace. This will create a unique piece of jewelry that will serve as a conversation starter, allow you to keep your father's possession close and prevent the over-sized ring from slipping off your finger and getting lost. It's also a much better use for a ring that would otherwise be sitting in a jewelry box.
Further a Favorite Cause of the Deceased
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Some families feel very little attachment to a deceased parent's jewelry. If you don't feel a major connection to your father's wedding ring, consider selling it to a jeweler and donating the money to one of your father's favorite causes. Think about what your parent would want. If your father valued education above all else, maybe he would rather see the money go towards a grandchild's education. Recently, charities such as Tough Angels have solicited the donation of old wedding rings and use the money to build homes for those in need in areas such as South Africa. Consider your feelings about the ring, as well as his, and make the choice you believe is best.
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References
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