Bereavement Leave
Paid or unpaid time off work granted to employees following the death of a family member or close person. The amount of time and whether it is paid varies by employer policy and state law.
Federal law does not mandate paid bereavement leave; several states have enacted their own requirements. Typical employer policies provide 3-5 days for immediate family members.
Some states (e.g., Oregon, Illinois, California, Maryland) have enacted bereavement leave protections.
→ Bereavement leave is separate from FMLA, which covers serious illness-related absences.
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Frequently asked questions about Bereavement Leave
What is Bereavement Leave?+
Paid or unpaid time off work granted to employees following the death of a family member or close person. The amount of time and whether it is paid varies by employer policy and state law. Federal law does not mandate paid bereavement leave; several states have enacted their own requirements.
Who qualifies for Bereavement Leave?+
Eligibility rules vary. Use BK's free Benefit Eligibility Screener to see if you may qualify based on your situation.
How do I apply for Bereavement Leave?+
BenefitKarma's free Benefit Eligibility Screener can point you to the right application path.
Where can I get help?+
Use BenefitKarma's free Benefit Eligibility Screener to see what programs you may qualify for. The Find Benefits tool tool also lets you browse programs by state.