What is Bereavement Leave? Know All About It

Grief and loss are inescapable parts of life. Everyone experiences some sort of loss or sorrow in some form or another. The most difficult is the loss of a loved one. When faced with this unfortunate incident in life, what is most needed is comfort and support to process all the emotional turmoil caused. It is important to be mindful of the emotional and practical implications of the loss. That’s why it’s important for employers to consider granting bereavement leave to their employees.

Taking time off from work to grieve can help one heal and have the space one needs to process their emotions. Even though this type of leave is not regulated by law, it is a sign of courtesy from the employer to offer their support in difficult times.

Bereavement Leave Meaning

The term bereavement refers to the state of grief or mourning experienced after the death of a loved one. A person is bound to experience emotional upheaval while enduring feelings of sorrow and overwhelmingness during such a difficult time. To take care of this emotional state and give oneself time to grieve and process things, a person may need time away from work.

Taking bereavement leave can help you address the obligations related to the death of a family member, relative, friend, or even your pet. When you write an application, it has to be thoughtfully crafted, sharing all important information. Enrolling in a business communication course can help you improve your communication skills in an effective manner.

Importance of a Bereavement Leave Policy

When a company drafts a bereavement leave policy, it demonstrates its commitment to fostering a healthy work environment. The benefits offered for this type of leave are discussed below:

• No Work Worry: This leave allows an employee to grieve without having to worry about work, which can help them to process their emotions and feelings.
• Flexible Schedule of Work: If someone is taking leave for a long duration, say for ten days, the employee gets some benefits like flexible scheduling of working hours if need be.
• Paid Leave: A company might consider a certain number of paid leave days during such trying times. This way, employees are free from the worry and fear of pay deductions.
• Bereavement Break Reduces Stress: Taking this leave can also help to reduce stress levels by providing a break from the demands of work and mourning the loss of a loved one without any hindrances. This will benefit the employee in terms of returning to work with a healthier state of mind and feelings.

There may not be a bereavement leave policy at every company. Talk to your human resources department to confirm if your company has any such leave policy and understand what the guidelines are for the same. If you are pursuing a part time job or work from home job in your field of profession, then you may simply apply for a casual leave.

Duration of Bereavement Leave

The duration of a bereavement leave will depend on the company’s policy. However, it is best to explain your circumstances and needs so that your employer can help make necessary arrangements through this tough time.

Generally, the period of leave can range from one to three days. Some companies offer at least two days of paid leave in such a situation. Although some employers may offer extended leave. This extension can last up to ten to twenty days, depending on your family situation and personal requirements. Your employer may even consider your request to work from home if you need to stay at home for a longer period of time. They might offer a mixture of work-from-home and part-time work arrangements.

Bereavement Leave Application: Samples

Here are some sample applications for you to consider:

Sample 1: Leave Application Due to Close Family Member’s Death

In the unbearable loss of the closest family member, taking a few days off from work to mourn and process everything can be extremely helpful. Here’s how you can write a formal leave application to seek a leave of absence in such a situation:

To: [Manager’s Email Address] CC: [HR’s Email Address] BCC: Subject: Bereavement Leave Application Dear [Manager’s Name], I am writing this email with a heavy heart to inform you that my father passed away last night. He had not been keeping well for a while, and his sudden demise has left me and my family members in deep sorrow and grief. I am requesting [number of days] of leave starting on [start date] and ending on [end date].  I understand that my work will be hampered for the duration. I seek your support in terms of reassigning my responsibilities and work to my fellow colleague, [name], or someone you could think of. I will continue to stay in contact during this time in case of any urgent work. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues during this difficult time. I plan on returning to work on [date], and I am confident that I will be able to pick up where I left off. However, I may have to extend my stay at home. In this case, I might seek your permission to work from home. Thank you for your support and understanding. Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Designation]

Sample 2: Bereavement Leave Due to Relative’s Death

In the unfortunate and unexpected event of a relative’s death, you may have to rush to the relative’s home to provide support and care. Here is a bereavement leave example:

To: [Manager’s Email Address] CC: [HR’s Email Address] BCC: Subject: Bereavement Leave Application Dear [Manager’s Name], I am writing this email to request [number of days] bereavement leave due to the unfortunate and sudden death of my [relationship with the family member] this morning. In these circumstances, I have to quickly rush to my relative’s place to provide support and help with funeral arrangements. I will be leaving on a flight today. I understand that there is a lot of work that my team has to achieve by the end of this month, and my absence might affect the team’s work. However, I have made arrangements with my team members and spoken to [name] to supervise the assigned tasks. I will be available to take calls after [date]. Until then, I will try my best to respond via text or email in case there is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed. Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time. Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Designation]

Sample 3: Due to a Friend’s Death

Hearing about the sudden death of a friend can be shocking. You may have to rush to the sight and be there for your friend’s family. Here is how you can write a leave application to attend your friend’s funeral:

To: [Manager’s Email Address] CC: [HR’s Email Address] BCC: Subject: Bereavement Leave Application Dear [Manager’s Name], I am writing this email to seek a leave of absence for three days. This morning, I received the shocking news that my school’s best friend [name of the friend] passed away. I have to attend his funeral tomorrow, that is [date], and be there for his family members and help them through this difficult time. I plan to leave in the evening today for my friend’s hometown. Therefore, I will be unavailable from [date] until [date]. However, I would make myself available after his funeral day to attend any office calls. I have requested my teammate [name] to take over my work during my leave of absence.  I seek your consideration and ask that you grant me leave for the above-mentioned dates. I will be highly grateful for your kind consideration. Warm Regards, [Your Name] [Designation]

Conclusion

Always make sure your employer is aware of the details of your bereavement leave request to avoid complications and disruptions at work. After all, taking leave during such times is a necessity, but a job comes with professional responsibilities. It is unfortunate to lose a loved one, and for the bereaved, taking leave to overcome the loss becomes inevitable. Thus, take enough time to recuperate and heal before you get back to work.

Don’t forget to check out this blog on how to write a leave application for the next time you want to take an impromptu leave.

Does your company have a bereavement leave policy? Tell us in the comments below.