Can widows / widowers remarry? What is the biblical view of remarriage after the death of a spouse?

from the old testament

• In the Old Testament, remarriage after the death of a spouse was usually a matter of children. After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah who gave him six sons (Genesis 25:1-2).
• God supported Levirate marriages (wherein a childless widow married her late husband's brother to provide an heir for her husband) so that a man's property would remain with his descendants and a woman would be cared for by her son (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). This ensured the woman had an option to remarry since, as a widow, she could not provide a political advantage for her father's family.

from the new testament

• With the advent of the church, women didn't have to remarry after the death of their spouses. The church as Christ's body was impelled to provide for faithful, righteous, elderly widows who had no family support (1 Timothy 5:3-10). In a way, the church was compensating such women for the kingdom work they performed (1 Timothy 5:10). Older widows with family were to be cared for by their family (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Younger widows, however, were not to be supported by the church (1 Timothy 5:11). It was questioned whether they could fully dedicate their lives to God, rejecting remarriage, though exceptions like Anna existed (Luke 2:36-37). Older widows had a record of godly living, while younger women faced temptations of marriage and idleness from financial security. Since family care was one of the few available paths, keeping young women occupied in meaningful roles was preferred.
• Marriage vows are only binding while both parties live. There is no marriage in heaven (Matthew 22:30), so there is no marriage of the dead.
• First Corinthians 7:39-40 gives blanket permission for remarriage after the death of one's spouse—although it is not mandatory, and remaining single is presented as a good option: "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God."
• First Timothy 5:14, on the other hand, suggests that younger widows remarry: "So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander."

implications for today

The death of a spouse is one of life’s most painful experiences, bringing deep grief and a profound sense of loss. In the midst of mourning, the thought of remarriage can feel overwhelming, even unthinkable, as the heart struggles to heal and memories of the past remain vivid. Questions of loyalty, timing, and God’s will can weigh heavily, making the path forward emotionally complex. Family relationships and opinions may further complicate things. Still, remarriage needs to be prayerfully considered, weighing the desire for companionship against the need for healing and God’s unique plan for the future. The decision requires wisdom, patience, and a heart open to God’s guidance, trusting that He can bring comfort, purpose, and clarity in His perfect timing.

In a culture where the desire to be married was assumed and, for women, the idea of support without family was nearly impossible, remarriage after a spouse's death was practical and often desirable. That is not always the case in modern times. Women do not need the protection and support of a spouse to serve God, and neither do men. The Bible clearly says that widows and widowers are free to remarry, but it does not say if they must. Remarriage is as much a matter for spiritual discernment as the initial marriage. It is good to be married, and it is good to be single. Only God knows which is best for each person.