Under most customary laws in Nigeria the death of a wife, irrespective of the system of marriage, terminates the marriage. But the death of a husband does not necessarily terminate the marriage. Again, this is true irrespective of the system of marriage. A surviving widow has a number of options open to her. She may elect to remain as a member of her husband’s family or return to her parents. In the former case, she may be “inherited” by a son or relative of her deceased husband or stay on as the wife of her deceased husband. In both instances the original marriage is regarded as continuing directly or indirectly. However, the widow is most likely to return to her parents if her relationship with her husband’s family is less than cordial, especially where it is proved or suspected that she had a hand in the death of her husband.