I would say the most sensible thing is simply the mutual declaration for the sake of administrivia, that until any of the members of a marriage say otherwise, we all are married. The only reason to even have the document is just for things like power of attorney. Who shall be considered a legal guardian responsible for a child, who is allowed to make decisions for another while they are incapacitated, etc. And the expiration date is "until further notice".
I don't think you have a right to call that sort of family sad or "tragic".
That's actually incredibly insulting, even abusive when it's embedded in policy that everyone has to live under.
Just imagine if I called your family sad and tragic. Even if I used hard unavoidable data to back up the judgement.