Let\u2019s start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*Note: <\/strong>The information regarding bereavement leave in the US has been checked and updated for 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n Bereavement leave is time off granted to an employee following the death of a close family member or friend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees use this leave to organize and attend the funeral, manage personal affairs related to the passing of a loved one, and grieve their loss. Bereavement leave is also often referred to as funeral leave<\/a> or bereaved leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An employee may get leave for the death of an immediate family member to grieve, handle funeral arrangements, and attend the funeral. An immediate family member can be a:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Immediate family members may also include a former spouse or relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Some companies even grant leave after losing a friend or a pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether bereavement leave is offered (paid or unpaid) depends on employment agreements, company policies, and state laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf93 <\/strong>Compliance with various state laws in the US can be challenging. For more information on relevant laws, here\u2019s a guide on labor laws across the country: State Labor Laws Guides<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The length of bereavement leave can be determined by state laws (which we’ll explore later in this text) and the agreement between an employee and employer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, some companies offer at least 3 paid days off after the death of a close family member and 1 day off for extended relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether bereavement leave is paid or unpaid depends on your employment agreement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in states where funeral leave is mandatory, state laws don’t require employers to offer bereavement pay. As a result, the question comes down to company policy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While not required by law, many companies offer a few days of paid bereavement leave to show support for a grieving employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Manage employee leaves, holidays, and balances. <\/p>\n\n A standard bereavement policy includes conditions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most state laws allow employers to decide the specifics of company bereavement policies. However, some states may mandate specific conditions, like eligibility and duration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure compliance<\/a>, employers should check local regulations before crafting funeral leave policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To properly request bereavement leave from your employer, follow the steps below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your time off depends on your workplace bereavement leave policy. If you\u2019re unsure of the policy, check your employee handbook to learn your rights and responsibilities when requesting time off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The company policy determines: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, some companies don\u2019t have official bereavement leave terms. In that case, communicate your needs with your employer, manager, or HR department and see how much time off work you can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your company\u2019s policy or state law, you may need to send a prior notice via email or by contacting the HR department. Also, some companies may require you to fill out an electronic or a paper form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to tell your employer about your bereavement leave as soon as possible and provide other relevant information, such as travel plans, dates of absence, and similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf93 <\/strong>As an employer, dealing with no-shows can be difficult. Here’s a guide on handling absent employees professionally: How to Handle No Call No Show Cases (+ Examples and Templates)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before approving your bereavement leave, your employer or HR department may ask for evidence of your loved one\u2019s passing, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you probably won’t have to provide this documentation before you take your leave. In most cases, you have up to 30 days from the start of your time off to produce the necessary documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before taking your leave, notify your colleagues about the time you will be absent, together with your current tasks and responsibilities. That way, they’ll know what needs to be handled until you return to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, leave your contact details so they can reach you in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf93 <\/strong>Learn everything you need to know about employee absenteeism here: What Is Absenteeism? Causes and Consequences<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The following table will provide more details about the 5 states that regulate bereavement leave in 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Bereavement](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Bereavement-Leave-by-Stage-guide-placeholder-cover.jpg\")
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What is bereavement leave?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does bereavement leave work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How long is bereavement leave?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is bereavement leave paid?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Free time off tracker<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/clockify\/banners\/landing-3@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is a typical bereavement leave policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How do I ask my boss for bereavement leave? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step #1: Check your company\u2019s policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step #2: Inform your employer <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step #3: Provide necessary documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step #4: Keep your colleagues in the loop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
State Bereavement Leave Laws 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/clockify\/banners\/features@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Scheduling](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/scheduling-in-clockify.png\")
![\"Time](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/time-off-in-clockify.png\")