HR and Absence Management Glossary

What is bereavement leave?

Bereavement leave is time off work granted to an employee following the death of a family member, close friend, or dependent. It allows employees the necessary time to grieve, make funeral arrangements, and manage personal affairs related to their loss. Some organisations refer to it as compassionate leave, though bereavement leave specifically relates to time off due to a death.

Is bereavement leave a legal right in the UK?

In the UK, there is no statutory right to bereavement leave for most employees, except in specific circumstances. However, under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees have the right to take a “reasonable” amount of unpaid time off to deal with emergencies, including the death of a dependent.

Some employers offer paid bereavement leave as part of their company policies, while others may allow employees to use annual leave or unpaid leave.

One key exception is Parental Bereavement Leave (Jack’s Law), which came into effect in April 2020. This grants eligible working parents two weeks of paid leave if they lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

How long is bereavement leave?

The length of bereavement leave varies depending on company policies and circumstances. Common practices include:

Close family members (e.g., parent, spouse, child, sibling) – Many employers offer between 3 to 5 days of paid leave.

Extended family or close friends – Typically, 1 to 2 days, or the option to take unpaid or annual leave.

Parental Bereavement Leave – 2 weeks of paid leave for eligible parents.

Employers often provide flexibility depending on the situation, such as allowing additional time off for funeral arrangements or travel.

Who is eligible for bereavement leave?

Eligibility for bereavement leave depends on company policy, but most employers grant leave to employees who have lost a close family member, such as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. Some organisations extend this to grandparents, in-laws, and close friends, while others assess leave requests on a case-by-case basis.

In the UK, there is no legal entitlement to bereavement leave, except for Parental Bereavement Leave, which allows eligible parents to take two weeks of leave following the loss of a child under 18 or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Many employers also provide bereavement leave for dependents, meaning individuals who relied on the employee for care, such as an elderly relative. Some companies offer more flexibility, allowing employees to take unpaid leave or annual leave if they need additional time. Employers who take a compassionate approach to bereavement leave foster a supportive workplace culture and help employees manage grief without unnecessary stress.

Is bereavement leave paid?

Whether bereavement leave is paid depends on the employer. There is no legal requirement for standard bereavement leave to be paid, though many employers offer 3 to 5 days of paid leave for immediate family losses.

For Parental Bereavement Leave, eligible employees are entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP), which is:

£172.48 per week (as of April 2024) or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Paid by the employer but reimbursed through the government’s statutory pay scheme.

Employees who do not qualify for paid bereavement leave may be able to take annual leave, unpaid leave, or compassionate leave at their employer’s discretion.

How does bereavement leave affect absence management?

Bereavement leave is an unplanned but essential form of absence that can impact workforce planning, productivity, and employee wellbeing. A well-managed bereavement leave policy helps businesses provide the necessary support to grieving employees while maintaining operational stability. Employers should have clear guidelines on bereavement leave entitlements, including eligibility, duration, and whether leave is paid, to ensure consistency and fairness.

Flexibility is also important, as some employees may need additional time off or a phased return to work, particularly after the loss of a close family member.

Supporting employees through bereavement can help prevent prolonged absences caused by stress, anxiety, or grief-related mental health struggles. Using absence management software allows businesses to track bereavement leave, identify patterns, and ensure affected employees receive the appropriate support.

A compassionate and structured approach to bereavement leave contributes to a positive workplace culture, reduces the risk of long-term absence, and improves overall employee retention.