What is the definition of bereavement pay?
Asked by: Prof. Richie Bartell | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)
Bereavement pay is a benefit allowing employees paid time off work following the death of a loved one, enabling them to grieve, attend funeral services, and handle related arrangements, though policies vary widely, with some employers offering paid leave and others only unpaid, as the U.S. Department of Labor does not mandate payment for time not worked, so it's defined by individual company policy or state/local laws.
What does bereavement pay consist of?
California: Employers with at least 5 employees, and all public employers, must grant 5 days of leave to employees upon the death of certain family members. This leave does not have to be paid, but the employee must be permitted to use any additional accrued paid leave as part of their bereavement time.
Does bereavement have to be immediate family?
Bereavement leave is any time off — paid or unpaid — an employee is given by his or her employer in the wake of a death. This type of leave is most often granted for the passing of someone in your immediate family but may also apply to the loss of other relatives, close friends, or coworkers.
What are the rules around bereavement leave?
A bereavement leave policy outlines paid or unpaid time off for employees losing a loved one, typically offering 3-5 days for immediate family, though policies vary widely and federal law doesn't mandate it (except in specific federal roles). Key elements include defining covered family members (spouse, child, parent, etc.), specifying paid/unpaid status, and allowing for flexible, intermittent leave to handle arrangements, funerals, and grief processing, with states like Oregon having specific requirements.
What is the meaning of bereavement payment?
It is a social security benefit that is designed to support people who have recently lost their spouse, and need some financial support to help them get back on their feet.
Bereavement Payment Explained
What is a bereavement payment?
Bereavement Support Payment gives financial support to people for a period after the death of a partner. We refer to the person who has died as 'your late partner'.
What can I use my bereavement days for?
Sick Leave for Bereavement
An employee is entitled to use a total of up to 104 hours (13 days) of sick leave each leave year for family care and bereavement, which include making arrangements required by the death of a family member and attending the funeral of a family member.
How many days can you take off work for a family death?
When a family member dies, you typically get 3 to 5 days off for immediate family, but the exact amount varies by employer policy, with some offering more for close relatives and less for extended family, often using sick/vacation days or unpaid time for additional time, as there's no federal US law mandating paid leave, though some states have laws. Check your company's handbook for specifics on covered relationships (spouse, parent, child, sibling, etc.) and paid vs. unpaid leave.
How much is a bereavement payment?
You may not get the lump-sum payment and you may get fewer than 18 monthly payments depending on when you claim and when you reach State Pension age. There are 2 rates of Bereavement Support Payment. Higher rate - this is made up of: • a lump-sum payment of £3,500, and • up to 18 monthly payments of £350.
What states have bereavement leave laws?
As of late 2025, five states mandate bereavement leave: California, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington, though requirements vary significantly, with some states offering job protection and others specifying paid or unpaid time for family losses like a child's death or reproductive issues. Federal law doesn't require bereavement leave, making state and employer policies crucial.
Does bereavement usually cover aunts and uncles?
Yes, aunts and uncles are often covered under bereavement leave, but it depends entirely on your specific employer's policy, as there's no universal federal law mandating it; many companies extend leave to extended family like aunts, uncles, grandparents, and in-laws, though it's usually for a shorter duration (like one day) than for immediate family. Always check your employee handbook or HR department for your company's definition of "immediate family" for bereavement.
How many days do you get for a family bereavement?
You're typically entitled to 3 to 5 days of paid bereavement leave for an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, sibling) under many employer policies, though federal law doesn't mandate it in the US, so it varies, with some states like California offering up to 5 days and Oregon up to 10 days, and you can often use other paid leave like sick or vacation days to extend this time if needed.
Can I take bereavement leave for a friend?
Bereavement leave is special paid leave that can be for used for a range of situations including: the death of an immediate family member or a close friend. a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Is bereavement pay federally mandated?
California: California has a law that requires companies with five or more employees to provide up to five days of bereavement leave. This leave is unpaid unless an employee has PTO or sick days available.
What is normal bereavement pay?
Standard bereavement pay in the U.S. isn't federally mandated, but common company policies offer 3-5 days paid leave for immediate family (spouse, child, parent, sibling) and 1-2 days for other relatives, with more distant relations or friends often requiring use of PTO or unpaid leave. Policies vary by employer, with some states like California and Illinois having specific mandates, but most rely on employer discretion for the specifics.
What is the pay you get when a family member dies?
Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.
How many days can I take off work for bereavement?
Bereavement Leave
The Act sets out that the leave duration must be a minimum of one week, and that the bereaved person must have at least 56 days to take the leave, although both of these could be extended further in regulations. It also provides protection around redundancy and dismissal.
Who is considered your immediate family?
The immediate family is a defined group of relations, used in rules or laws to determine which members of a person's family are affected by those rules. It normally includes a person's parents, siblings, spouse, children, and parents-in-law after marriage.
Are you still a Mrs after your husband dies?
A widowed woman is also referred to as Mrs., out of respect for her deceased husband. Some divorced women still prefer to go by Mrs., though this varies based on age and personal preference.
What are the rules around bereavement?
Although covered employers are required to grant up to five days of bereavement leave, the law does not require that employers pay you for this leave time. However, many employers have paid bereavement leave policies, so be sure to check with your employer about any existing policy that they may have in place.
What counts as a bereavement?
Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It's characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through when we experience a loss. Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating – whether it's a partner, family member or friend.
Do you use PTO for bereavement?
Yes, bereavement leave often uses Paid Time Off (PTO) or can be extended with it, but it depends on your company's specific policy, as some offer dedicated paid bereavement days for close family, while others might require you to use sick days, vacation, or go unpaid if no specific policy exists. Laws vary, so checking your employee handbook or HR is crucial to know if bereavement counts separately or draws from your general PTO bank, especially for extended time off.
What does bereavement mean in payroll?
Definition. Sick leave for Bereavement applies if an employee is so incapacitated due to the death of an immediate family member that he/she cannot return to work. This type of leave is mutually exclusive from paid funeral leave.
Can you get bereavement leave for a friend?
In cases where the deceased isn't a dependent or immediate family member, specific rights may not apply. However, your employer has the discretion to grant leave, so it's advisable to discuss the situation with them. Remember, the loss of a close friend or chosen family member can also be grounds for bereavement leave.
What states offer paid bereavement leave?
At the time of writing, 45 states do not have bereavement leave laws — the only exceptions are California, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington. Many employers in these states still offer bereavement leave voluntarily. Additionally, some states have leave laws that can include bereavement time.