Bereavement Leave – UK Rights, Pay, and Employer Policies Explained

Losing a loved one is devastating. When grief strikes, navigating the complex rules around time off from work can add an extra layer of stress. In the UK, the rules on bereavement leave depend heavily on who you have lost and who you work for. The law provides a clear, paid right for parents who lose a child, but for others, the situation is less straightforward. This guide breaks down the current statutory entitlements, how pay works, and what employers typically offer.

Understanding the difference between statutory rights and employer policies is crucial. While the government guarantees certain minimums, many companies choose to offer more generous packages. This article provides a factual overview of bereavement leave UK rights, pay, and employer policies, based on official sources and guidance from ACAS and the UK government.

What Is the Statutory Bereavement Leave Entitlement in the UK?

The statutory bereavement leave entitlement in the UK is not a single, universal right. It is divided into two main categories: a specific right for parents who lose a child, and a general, unpaid right to time off for emergencies involving a dependent. Understanding this distinction is key to knowing what you are entitled to.

Key Insights on Your Rights

• The UK has no statutory paid bereavement leave for the death of anyone other than a child under 18 or a stillbirth after 24 weeks.
• Unpaid ‘reasonable time off’ is a day-one right, but it only applies when dealing with an emergency for a person who is a legal dependent.
• For the death of a non-dependent relative like a parent, grandparent, or sibling, your employer is not legally required to give any leave, paid or unpaid, though many do.
• ACAS guidance recommends employers have a clear bereavement policy, but this is not a legal mandate.
• The right to Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave for a child is a day-one right for the leave itself, but qualifying for the pay requires 26 weeks’ service.
• A future law, the Employment Rights Bill, is set to introduce a day-one, unpaid right to one week of leave for other loved ones.

Bereavement Leave UK: Key Facts at a Glance

Is Bereavement Leave Paid in the UK?

The answer to whether bereavement leave is paid depends entirely on the circumstances. There is a clear “yes” for specific parental bereavement, but a general “no” for most other situations. The distinction between statutory paid leave and employer discretion is critical.

What is Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay?

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) is the only statutory paid bereavement leave in the UK. If you lose a child under 18 or suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks, you are entitled to up to two weeks of paid leave. As of April 2026, the weekly rate is either £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. To receive SPBP, you must have 26 weeks of continuous service and average earnings of at least £129 per week.

Do Employers Have to Pay for Non-Parental Bereavement?

No. For the death of a spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent, there is no legal requirement for an employer to provide paid leave. Many employers choose to offer paid bereavement leave as part of their company policy, but this is a contractual or discretionary benefit, not a statutory right. The UK Government guide on Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay makes this distinction clear.

Do NHS Employees Get Paid Bereavement Leave?

NHS staff typically follow the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service handbook. While this usually provides for paid leave in the event of a bereavement of an immediate family member, the exact entitlement can vary depending on the specific NHS Trust’s local policies. It is best to check your contract or speak to HR. There is no special statutory right for NHS employees beyond standard employment law.

How Much Bereavement Leave Am I Entitled to When a Parent Dies?

There is no law that specifies how much bereavement leave you are entitled to when a parent dies. Because a parent is usually not considered a “dependent” under the Employment Rights Act (unless you care for them), you do not have a statutory right to any time off, even unpaid. This means the amount of leave you can take is entirely dependent on your employer’s policy.

What Bereavement Leave Is Available for a Grandparent or Sibling?

The situation for a grandparent or sibling is the same as for a parent. There is no statutory right to bereavement leave when a grandparent dies in the UK. If you need time off, it is governed entirely by your employer’s goodwill and company policy. Some employers offer “compassionate leave” that covers extended family, but this is not a legal requirement.

What Bereavement Leave Rights Exist for the Death of a Child?

This is the one area with a clear, robust statutory right. Under “Jack’s Law,” biological parents, adoptive parents, and those with day-to-day responsibility for a child are entitled to two weeks of leave. This leave is a day-one right. If they meet the service and earnings requirements, they are also entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay. The leave can be taken in one block or as two separate weeks and must be used within 56 weeks of the child’s death or stillbirth.

What Does ACAS Guidance Say About Time Off for Bereavement and Funerals?

ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, provides crucial best-practice guidance for employers. While not legally binding, their recommendations are highly influential and considered a standard for reasonable behaviour in the workplace. They emphasise that supporting a bereaved employee is good for both the individual and the business.

How Do I Request Bereavement Leave From My Employer?

The best first step is to check your employment contract or staff handbook for a specific bereavement or compassionate leave policy. If one exists, follow the procedure it outlines. If not, speak directly to your manager or HR department. ACAS guidance on time off for bereavement recommends that employers communicate clearly and empathetically. Be prepared to explain the nature of your relationship to the deceased and the time you think you will need.

Can an Employer Refuse Bereavement Leave?

An employer can legally refuse to provide paid bereavement leave if it is not part of your contract. However, they cannot refuse your statutory right to reasonable unpaid time off if the death involves a dependent and you need it to deal with an emergency. Refusing a reasonable request for unpaid time in such a situation could lead to a claim at an employment tribunal. For a non-dependent, an employer’s refusal is generally lawful, though it may be considered poor practice.

What Is a Reasonable Bereavement Policy for Employers?

ACAS guidance suggests a reasonable policy should be clear, compassionate, and flexible. It should outline who is eligible (immediate family, extended family, close friends), how much paid leave is offered (many employers offer 3-5 days for immediate family), and the process for requesting it. A good policy will also allow for flexibility, as grief does not follow a set timeline.

Evolution of UK Bereavement Leave Law

1. 1996: The Employment Rights Act establishes the right to reasonable unpaid time off for dependents, which covers emergencies like a death.
2. 2020: The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Jack’s Law) comes into force, granting two weeks of paid leave for parents who lose a child under 18 or suffer a stillbirth.
3. 2022: ACAS updates its guidance on bereavement leave, recommending that employers offer paid policies for all employees as best practice.
4. 2025 (Planned): The new Employment Rights Bill proposes a day-one, unpaid right to one week of bereavement leave for a broader category of “other loved ones.”

Bereavement Leave UK: What Is Certain and What Is Unclear

Analysis: Why UK Bereavement Leave Is Complex

UK bereavement leave is a patchwork of a single, robust statutory paid right for child loss, a general unpaid right for dependent emergencies, and a vast area of discretionary employer policy. This creates significant inequity. An employee who loses a child is protected by law, while someone grieving a parent or sibling has no safety net if their employer chooses not to offer leave. The planned Employment Rights Bill will help by providing a day-one unpaid right for a broader category of “other loved ones,” but paid leave will remain exclusive to bereaved parents. The burden currently falls on individual employers, leading to wide variation across the country.

Key Sources and Guidance

“There is no legal right to paid time off for bereavement.”

ACAS

“Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave is 2 weeks paid leave for employees.”

GOV.UK

“Bereavement leave is time off agreed by your employer.”

Marie Curie

What to Do Next

If you are facing a bereavement, check your employer’s policy immediately. If you are an employer, review your current policy against ACAS guidance to ensure it is supportive. Stay informed about the passing of the Employment Rights Bill, which could introduce new day-one rights for more situations. For detailed legal information, always refer to ACAS guidance on time off for bereavement and the UK Government guide on Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bereavement Leave