Losing a spouse to death or divorce puts you somewhere most people in Utah Valley never planned to be: single again, often with children, in a place where so much of social life is organized around families. If that is you, the first thing to know is that the Church has a specific structure for single adults of every age, and Utah County has an active community of widowed and divorced members, especially over 46. The second is that the practical work (the paperwork, the money, the grief) comes first, and there is help for each part.
This page covers both, gently and in order. Take what you need now and come back for the rest.
The first weeks: the practical help
After a death
- Death certificates. Banks, insurers and agencies will ask for certified copies. Our funeral homes and obituaries guide explains the death certificate, the first hours and the administrative tail in Utah County.
- Social Security. A funeral home usually notifies Social Security of the death, so you may not need to report it yourself, the agency says. Survivor benefits are a separate application. Social Security's conditions for a surviving spouse include being 60 or older, or 50 to 59 with a disability, having been married at least nine months before your spouse died, and not having remarried before 60 (50 with a disability). If you are caring for your spouse's child, you can qualify "regardless of your age or how long you were married."
- The estate. Our wills and probate guide covers Utah's small-estate threshold, the surviving-spouse rules and what a personal representative does.
After a divorce
- Know when it is final. Under Utah Code 81-4-406, a decree becomes absolute when the court signs it and the clerk enters it, unless the court sets a later date of no more than six months. Until then, you cannot remarry, and in the Church you remain in a geographic ward rather than a singles ward.
- Your name. The Utah County Clerk's page notes that a divorce settlement typically includes either the right to keep the married name or a statement returning to a prior name, and that you use the same ID-change process as at marriage: Social Security, the driver license office, then everyone else. Our legal name change guide covers changes that need a court order.
- Court questions. Our family court guide for Utah County explains where divorce cases are handled, and our legal help guide lists low-cost and free legal aid.
Where you fit: the Church's single adult tier
The General Handbook's chapter 14 sets out how the Church organizes single members. It defines "single members" as "all adult members of the Church who are not currently married," including those who are "divorced or widowed." "Young single adults" are 18 to 35, and "single adults" are 36 and older. Every singles ward in the county is linked in our singles wards list.
Which ward
| Your situation | Where the Handbook places you |
|---|---|
| Under 36, no children at home | A young single adult ward, if one covers your address, or your geographic ward |
| 36 to 45, no children at home | A single adult ward, if one covers your address, or your geographic ward |
| 46 or older | Your geographic ward |
| Single parent with children at home | Your geographic ward; you may attend singles activities |
| Separated, divorce not final | Your geographic ward until the decree is final |
Two details soften the edges of that table:
- It is your choice. "Eligible members may choose to be members of the young single adult ward or the single adult ward, where available. Or they can choose to be members of their geographic ward."
- Single parents are not left out. The Handbook says single parents with children at home "normally attend their geographic ward" so their children can be active in Primary and youth programs, and that they "may attend the activities of a young single adult or single adult ward." It also tells bishoprics to "recognize and strive to help meet the needs of single parents."
Our mid-singles guide lists single adult wards in Utah County and explains the 2024 age changes, and our YSA, mid-singles and single adults explainer covers the whole system.
Activities, callings and Monday nights
- Activities for single adults "take place at the stake and multistake level," planned by a stake single adult committee led by a single adult man and woman who sit on the stake council. Ask your bishop who your stake's representatives are.
- Callings. The Handbook says single members are called to leadership and teaching positions, and lists examples including ward and stake organization presidencies, elders quorum presidencies, bishopric counselors, high councilors and stake presidency counselors.
- Home evening groups. Members may organize home evening groups for single adults; "generally, those who participate do not have children at home."
- Monday nights. As an exception to the usual rule, single adults "may hold Church activities on Monday nights, including in Church buildings."
The temple sealing question
Many divorced members wonder what happens to their sealing. The Handbook says that if a sealed couple divorces, "the blessings of that sealing remain in effect for individuals who are worthy," and that "God will not require anyone to remain in a sealed relationship throughout eternity against his or her will." Members of either gender "may seek a sealing cancellation even if they are not preparing to be sealed to another spouse." The application starts with your bishop, who confirms the divorce is final and that you are current on any court-ordered support. There is no deadline and no expectation either way; it is a decision to make in your own time.
Over 46: Utah County Single Adults
For widowed and divorced members 46 and older, the center of gravity in Utah County is Utah County Single Adults (UCSA). Its website says it "is organized for Latter-Day Saint single adults age 46 and up," welcomes those 36 to 45, operates under the priesthood leadership of an Area Seventy and a coordinating council of stake and ward representatives, and requires that "all divorces must be final." What it lists:
- Dances on the first Friday at 481 E. Center St. in Orem and the third Friday at 2150 Pointe Meadow Dr. in Lehi, with instruction from 7:30 p.m., dancing from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., refreshments, a game room, a service project and a $5 cash donation.
- A choir open to single adults 36 and older, rehearsing Sundays at 5 p.m. in Orem, with free concerts.
- Temple nights on the first Wednesday of each month at the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (742 N. 900 East, American Fork), for a 7 p.m. endowment session or a 7:30 p.m. sealing session; UCSA asks people to reserve their own appointments.
- Payson temple mornings, a monthly breakfast from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at the church at 952 W. 1580 South in Payson, then proxy sealings at the Payson temple.
- Firesides and two conferences a year, with speakers, workshops and dances.
UCSA also recommends its Facebook group as the best place for current events. For the conference dates and how a conference weekend runs, our singles conferences and dances calendar has the details.
Grief, loneliness and the hard days
Starting again is not only logistics. Grief after a death and grief after a divorce are both real, and neither runs on a schedule.
- Right now: call or text 988. 988 Utah says it "can help you with any emotional or mental struggle you are experiencing" and that "you can call for any reason." Our mental health crisis resources page covers 988, SafeUT, the mobile crisis team and the receiving center you can walk into.
- Ongoing support: a licensed counselor who works with grief or divorce. Our guide to finding a therapist in Utah Valley explains the credentials, the low-cost options, what therapy costs and how to find a good fit, including faith fit.
- Your ward: the Handbook assigns ministering brothers and sisters to every single member, individually. If you would like more contact, or less, tell your bishop or Relief Society or elders quorum president.
Dating again, when you are ready
There is no right time, and nobody should rush you. When you are ready, the singles wards, stake activities and UCSA events are where many members in their 40s, 50s and beyond meet people. Outside church, rec leagues, classes and volunteering do the same work; our adult rec leagues guide and volunteer service guide are good places to begin. And if you meet someone and the questions turn to remarriage, children and sealings, the General Handbook's section 38.4 answers them in detail; your bishop can walk through it with you. If remarriage is ahead, see second marriages and blended families, and for the apps, dating apps compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do widowed and divorced Latter-day Saints go to church in Utah Valley?
Can I go to singles activities while my divorce is pending?
Are there activities for single adults over 46 in Utah County?
Can single parents attend single adult activities?
Can a widow or widower get Social Security survivor benefits?
How do I change my name back after a divorce in Utah?
Do I have to cancel my temple sealing after a divorce?
Where can I get help with grief or the stress of a divorce right now?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Survivors benefits, Social Security Administration. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Survivors benefits: Eligibility, Social Security Administration. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Name Changes (reverting to a prior name), Utah County Clerk, Marriage License. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services: 988 Utah, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 4: Dissolution of Marriage (81-4-406), Utah State Legislature. Checked October 19, 2026.
- General Handbook, 14: Single Members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- General Handbook, 38: Church Policies and Guidelines (38.4.1.5, 38.4.1.9, 38.4.1.10), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Utah County Single Adults: home, Utah County Single Adults. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Utah County Single Adults: UCSA Dances, Utah County Single Adults. Checked October 19, 2026.
- UCSA Other Activities: temple nights and Payson temple mornings, Utah County Single Adults. Checked October 19, 2026.
