Our firm gets calls from time to time regarding questions from spouses regarding the death of the other spouse and the signing of a tax return.
Here is your question and your answer

Signing the Return

Question:
My husband passed away last year, and I will be filing a joint return. Are there any special return notations required to indicate my husband is deceased?
 
Answer:
When you are a surviving spouse filing a joint return and no personal representative has been appointed, you should sign the return and write in the signature area below your signature, “filing as surviving spouse.”
The return should have the word “Deceased,” the decedent’s name, and the date of death written across the top of the return above the area where your address is entered.
 
Husband passed away last year, and I will be filing a joint return – Tax Answers