A man joined the church. His common-law wife of thirty years is deceased. Can he be sealed to her?

gendelver

This man has been a member for four years. He has a Temple recommend. He would like to be sealed to his deceased common-law wife. They were together for thirty years. Can this be done, and what are the steps?

Brett .

@gendelver

Welcome to he "Community.FamilySearch" Forum

I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

[ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ]

FYI

Short Answer: 'Yes', depending on all circumstances.

Have the 'Man' (ie. Brother), counsel directly with, his Local Priesthood Leader (ie. Bishop; or, Branch President), in the first instance.

The reason for such, is that he is STILL "Living".

Here are a couple of "Knowledge Articles" in "FamilySearch':

Policy for sealing living members after a spouse dies

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/policy-for-sealing-living-members-after-a-spouse-or-fiance-dies

Sealings to deceased family members

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/sealings-to-deceased-family-members

I hope this helps.

Brett

Kerijy

Hello @gendelver

Adding to @Brett . 's comments

FamilySearch is used to print an ordinance card when all of the parties to the sealing are deceased.

Because the man is still living an ordinance card is not needed for the Sealing to Spouse ordinance.

The ordinances for the deceased wife should be performed first. Use FamilySearch to print the ordinance card for the Baptism, Initiatory, Confirmation, Endowment and Sealing to Parent for the wife.

When the wife's other ordinances are completed (or ready to be done), the man needs to talk to his Bishop to get a recommend for living ordinances.

When he is ready, the man should make an appointment at the Temple for the Sealing and take:

• His temple recommend
• The recommend for living ordinances
• The ordinance card for his wife if other ordinances are yet to be completed.

This knowledge article explains further...

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/sealings-to-deceased-family-members

All the best

Brett .

@Kerrebee

FYI

I was not aware, that such detail, could be provided, in the OPEN nature of this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

I was reluctant to do so.

Such, has definitely, been discouraged, in the past, in the previous iterations of the Forum.

Brett

gendelver

This is my question: They were common law, never legally married. She is deceased, he is living. Can he be sealed to her anyway?

Brett .

@gendelver

FYI

Regarding, you latest question:

They were common law, never legally married. She is deceased, he is living. Can he be sealed to her anyway?

Short Answer: 'Yes', most likely, depending on all circumstances

Again ...

Have the 'Man' (ie. Brother), counsel directly with, his Local Priesthood Leader (ie. Bishop; or, Branch President), in the first instance.

The reason for such, is that he is STILL "Living".

[ ie. So the Brother NEEDS a "Recommend for Living Ordinances", along with a current Temple Recommend. ]

Here are a couple of "Knowledge Articles" in "FamilySearch':

Policy for sealing living members after a spouse dies

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/policy-for-sealing-living-members-after-a-spouse-or-fiance-dies

Sealings to deceased family members

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/sealings-to-deceased-family-members

I hope this helps.

Brett

ps: Here is the link, directly to that latter "Knowledge Article", referenced abo,e ...

Do common-law spouses have the same precedence as married spouses?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/do-common-law-spouses-have-the-same-precedence-as-married-spouses

.

gendelver

I know about living people being sealed to deceased, but couldn't find the article about common law. Thank you so much for your help!