After entering your information on the sign-up page a search will begin for other widows for you to correspond with whose circumstances are similar to yours.Your matches will be close to your age (within ten years), have lost their husband around the same time you did, and will have answered the question about having children the same way you did. When your matches have been identified you will receive up to three randomly selected names and email addresses from the current database. Then you will be ready to begin your correspondence. Remember, each of the women who sign up for this service have volunteered to walk this journey with another widow. The purpose of this service is to connect people who will support each other with positive words, empathy and compassion.

2.) Why am I asked for my date of birth?

In order to match people of approximately the same age, it is necessary to enter your birth date. Additionally, we ask for the date your husband died so that as time passes you can still be matched with people who lost their husbands close to the same time you did.

3.) Why aren't I being matched with people who live in my area?

Utilizing the amazing world of the internet, women from all over the country can become pen-pals who will offer each other a network of support without the limitations of being in the same city or even the same state! Besides, if you become good friends, having a pen-pal in a different location provides excellent travel opportunities!

4.) What difference does it make if I have children or not?

Widowhood has a variety of challenges that are universal, but there are some special circumstances that are associated with being a single parent of grieving children (of any age.) The interviews I have conducted with women who are, and those who are not parents, also demonstrated to me that each group faces their own unique and particular challenges. In order to increase the odds of helpful and meaningful matches, this category was added to the sign-up criteria.

5.) What if I am not compatible with any of my matches?

It may take some time to discover this and I encourage you to consider where you are in your grief process as you determine your compatibility with the people whom you correspond with. The idea is not to provide answers for each other, but to offer support to each other. However, if you do not feel you are able to connect with the people on your list, you can go through the sign-up process again. The contacts are assigned randomly, so it is possible that you would receive different names from another sign-up form. If you still feel you are not able to connect with a second batch of names, please contact me at widowsbond@sbcglobal.net.

6.) Will you sell my email address?

Widow Match is a not-for-profit service program. At no time will I EVER sell the contact information gathered through this website.

7.) What if I decide I no longer want to participate in this program?

If at any time you choose to remove yourself from the Widow Match program, just go to the sign-up page and follow the link to unsubscribe.