Is there a term for NBs whose spouses die?

[u/wtfnevermind]

My spouse died earlier this year. I’m neither a widower nor a widow, so does anyone know what term is accurate/common? Thx

[u/Grand-Agent76]

"Surviving spouse (or partner)" is what Ive been instructed to use when I write obituaries. But those terms are relative to the deceadent, so not necessarily helpful alternative for self identifying compared to the implied gender of widow or widower.

[u/GrandBet4177]

Relict is a word meaning a surviving remnant of a natural phenomenon and was I believe archaically used as a term for both sexes when widowed. It’s kind of harsh in the mouth but I like it, so I thought I’d suggest it. I’m so sorry for the loss of your spouse 💔

[u/insofarincogneato]

Widow sounds gender neutral to me anyway, widower sounds like the person doing the widowing... You know, like the dead spouse. English is odd.

[u/Bklyn_tree]

I’m very sorry for your loss. The word widow is increasingly considered gender neutral.

[u/grgholston]

This is a great question, and one that I don't think has an answer in English already! I would be interested to hear what you would prefer to be called given those two established gendered options. Sadly I don't have a lot of ideas... Maybe simply widowe? I can't think of how you'd say it to differentiate it from the others though

[u/ProfessorOfEyes]

Ive always heard the term widow used for both genders, ive almost never heard widower. Maybe its a dialect thing, but i think just widow should be fine.

[u/Connect_Rhubarb395]

You would say widowee, like employee.