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The Global Insight

Do you get paid for taking bereavement time?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Updated on April 05, 2026

The leave can be taken as a single 2-day period, 2 separate days, or any separate periods that the employer and employee agree on. It does not accumulate and can be taken when needed. If you’re a full or part-time employee you receive paid compassionate leave. If you’re a casual employee your leave is unpaid.

Can an employer deny bereavement time?

An employer can request evidence about the reason for compassionate leave (eg. a death or funeral notice or statutory declaration). This request for evidence has to be reasonable. If the employee doesn’t provide the requested notice or evidence they may not get compassionate leave.

Are you legally entitled to bereavement?

Pay during bereavement There is no legal right to paid time off for bereavement, unless someone is eligible for parental bereavement pay when a child dies. Many employers choose to offer pay during bereavement.

What is a typical bereavement policy?

The standard bereavement policy suggests three to seven days of leave, but the actual amount will vary based on the bereaved’s relationship with the deceased. Most bereavement policies differentiate between the loss of a core family member versus peripheral family and friends.

How long can you take off work for bereavement?

There are no official rules stating how long employees are entitled to have for bereavement. It’s often up to the individual employer, but on average around 2-5 days is the norm.

How many times can you take bereavement?

Typically, companies allow regular, full-time employees to take up to three days of paid leave following the death of an immediate family member. This allows employees to attend, or plan, a funeral for a deceased loved one.

Does miscarriage qualify for bereavement leave?

Under the FMLA (the federal family leave law) and CFRA (California’s family leave law), covered workers can take time off for their own serious health condition, which includes a miscarriage.

Does Home Depot pay bereavement days?

Home Depot offers vacation, leave of absence, compassionate leave, sick days, jury duty, and bereavement days. Home Depot offers 50% of tuition fees for students up to $5000/year. Offers a discount on the homegroup, care insurance, hotels and more.

How do you prove bereavement?

Proof of leave You could ask employees to show you an obituary, funeral program, or prayer card. You can also simply ask your employee to provide you details on the name of the deceased, date of death, city of death, and relationship to the deceased. Often, these details are enough to verify the death.

Do you get paid if you take bereavement leave?

Employees who want to take a longer leave can use their other paid leaves or take a leave without pay. As a general rule, most companies do not roll over the bereavement leave from one year to the next, unlike other types of time-off like PTO/ sick days. This is done so that employees don’t end up accumulating unused bereavement leave.

When do you get paid for bereavement in South Africa?

Employees are entitled to bereavement leave every 12 months if the meet the criteria. Full day pay is given to the employee if it occurs on a workday. Bereavement leave in Singapore is only dependent on contractual agreement between the employee and employer. Bereavement leave in South Africa is covered by Family Responsibility Leave.

How long do you get paid in China for bereavement?

1 to 3 days of paid leave is given to all Chinese employees with 3 days leave being the most accepted practice Leave is given for death of a parent, spouse, or child Different local rules around the country apply to bereavement leave. For instance, Shanghai provides leave for parent-in-laws as well.

How to handle bereavement time off for your employees?

In your employee handbook, write down your policy for granting special bereavement leave requests. If you will have a no-exceptions policy, make that clear too. You should have guidelines to follow in case an employee violates your bereavement leave policy. For example, you might decide to suspend an employee for a leave violation.