Your employer may offer bereavement or funeral leave as part of your employee benefits package. Bereavement leave, also called funeral leave, refers to the time you take off work to attend a visitation, wake, or funeral. You may wish to learn more about this benefit at your workplace before you need the time off.
Typical bereavement leave benefits
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and many other labor laws do not require employers to offer bereavement or funeral leave. Employers commonly provide this voluntary benefit to attract and retain employees, so check your employee handbook for the exact details.
If an employer offers bereavement leave, it is often a set amount of time—commonly one to three days—and is separate from accrued vacation or sick time. Your employer’s policy should state whether the leave is paid or unpaid and whether pay differs for salaried versus hourly workers.
Eligible relatives
- Parents
- Siblings
- Spouse
- Children
- In‑laws
- Step‑relatives
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
Employers sometimes limit bereavement leave to immediate family members and may require a written request and supervisory approval. If you take unauthorized time off without approval, you could face disciplinary action such as a pay deduction, a disciplinary report, or termination.
Options if you don’t have bereavement leave
If your employer doesn’t offer bereavement leave, ask your supervisor or HR about alternatives such as unpaid leave, schedule adjustments, telecommuting, or using other available time off.
Other leave options
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Leave without pay
- Alternate or flexible work schedule
- Telecommuting
- Compensatory time off
Your supervisor or Human Resources department can explain the options and the steps to request time off. For related workplace protection options, see Involuntary Unemployment Protection and Loss-Sensitive Casualty Programs.
If you want personalized help evaluating your workplace benefits and options, you can also talk to an agent for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I automatically entitled to bereavement leave?
No. Bereavement leave is typically a voluntary employer benefit and is not required by federal law; check your employer’s policy or handbook.
Is bereavement leave usually paid?
Some employers pay bereavement leave for salaried employees and not for hourly staff, while others offer unpaid leave; your policy will state the details.
Who counts as “immediate family” for bereavement leave?
Employers define eligible relatives in their policies, but common inclusions are parents, siblings, spouses, children, in‑laws, step‑relatives, grandparents, and grandchildren.
What should I do if my employer denies my bereavement request?
Discuss alternatives with your supervisor or HR, such as unpaid leave, schedule changes, or using accrued time off to cover the absence.