Glossary

Small Business Glossary and Definitions

What is Bereavement Leave?

Bereavement Leave is time off from work, either paid or unpaid, provided to employees when a family member, other relative or friend (policies vary) dies. The time allows for finalizing funeral arrangements, going to the funeral and burial, attending a visitation or wake, tending to the deceased person’s will and personal belongings and similar issues that arise following a death.

If the deceased is an immediate family member, the employee generally receives about three days off. If the deceased is another relative or a friend, the employee generally receives one day off. Many companies will allow additional unpaid days off when needed. Who qualifies as a family member or an immediate family member should be spelled out in the company’s employee handbook.