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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 30 Oct 2025, 16:37 IST
Losing a loved one is one of the hardest moments in life. During such times, it is natural to feel emotionally drained and unable to focus on work. This is when bereavement leave becomes very important. It allows employees to take time off from work to grieve, attend funeral services, and support their family. Many companies understand that employees need this time to heal and have a bereavement leave policy in place for such situations.
So, what is bereavement leave? It is a special type of leave given when someone in the employee’s family passes away. This leave gives people the chance to take care of funeral arrangements, perform rituals, and spend time with their loved ones. The number of days offered under bereavement leave may differ from one company to another, but most organizations provide around three to seven days.
A proper bereavement leave application helps you inform your manager or HR about your situation in a respectful way. It shows professionalism while requesting time off during a difficult period. Knowing how to write a clear and polite application can make the process easier and faster.
Understanding the bereavement leave policy also helps employees know their rights — whether the leave is paid or unpaid, who qualifies for it, and how to apply. In India and other countries, these policies vary, but the goal is the same: to give employees time to recover emotionally and return to work with peace of mind.
Bereavement leave is the time off granted by an employer to an employee after the death of a close family member, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child. It allows employees to handle funeral arrangements, manage legal matters, and process their grief.
| Aspect | Description |
| Purpose | Time to grieve and fulfill funeral or family responsibilities |
| Duration | Usually 3–5 days (can vary by company policy) |
| Eligible Relations | Immediate family members (sometimes extended family) |
| Paid/Unpaid | Depends on the company’s bereavement leave policy |
| Proof Required | Death certificate or obituary (in some cases) |
Understanding what is bereavement leave helps both employees and employers manage such sensitive situations with compassion and clarity.
Do Check: Leave Application for Office
Every company has its own bereavement leave policy defining eligibility, duration, and pay terms. Here’s an example of a typical policy structure:
| Component | Description |
| Eligibility | Permanent and probationary employees (contract workers may vary) |
| Duration | 3–7 working days based on the relationship |
| Pay Status | Often paid, especially for immediate family |
| Procedure | Submit a bereavement leave application to HR or reporting manager |
| Supporting Documents | May include a copy of the death certificate or family proof |
| Extensions | Can request additional unpaid leave if required |
A bereavement leave application should be short, respectful, and clear. It should include:
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| Section | Details |
| To | Reporting Manager / HR Department |
| Subject | Bereavement Leave Application |
| Body | Mention the loss, duration of leave, and condolences |
| Closure | Expression of thanks |
| Signature | Employee name, designation, contact info |
Subject: Bereavement Leave Application
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am deeply saddened to inform you that my [relation, e.g., father] passed away on [date]. I need to be with my family during this time and perform the necessary rituals.
I kindly request bereavement leave from [start date] to [end date]. I will resume work on [date]. Please let me know if any additional documentation is needed under the company’s bereavement leave policy.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Designation]
[Contact Number]
विषय: शोक अवकाश हेतु आवेदन पत्र
प्रिय [प्रबंधक का नाम],
मुझे आपको यह सूचित करते हुए अत्यंत दुख हो रहा है कि मेरे [संबंध, जैसे पिता] का [तारीख] को निधन हो गया है। इस कठिन समय में मुझे अपने परिवार के साथ रहकर अंतिम संस्कार की रस्में पूरी करनी हैं।
अतः कृपया मुझे [प्रारंभ तिथि] से [समाप्ति तिथि] तक bereavement leave in hindi (शोक अवकाश) प्रदान करने की कृपा करें। मैं [वापसी तिथि] को कार्यालय जॉइन करूंगा।
आपकी समझदारी के लिए धन्यवाद।
सादर,
[आपका नाम]
[पदनाम]
[संपर्क नंबर]
Do Check: Earned Leave Application
Subject: Bereavement Leave Request
Dear HR,
I regret to inform you about the sudden demise of my [relation]. I need leave for [number] days to attend funeral ceremonies. Kindly approve my bereavement leave application from [start date] to [end date].
Regards,
[Name]
[Department]
Subject: Bereavement Leave Application
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I wish to inform you that my [relation, e.g., uncle] passed away. Although not immediate family, I was very close to him and need a couple of days to attend the rituals.
Please grant me bereavement leave from [start date] to [end date] as per the bereavement leave policy.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
தலைப்பு: அஞ்சல் விடுப்பு விண்ணப்பம்
அன்புள்ள [மேலாளர் பெயர்],
என் [உறவு, உதாரணம்: தந்தை] அவர்கள் [தேதி] அன்று மரணமடைந்தார்கள் என்பதை வருத்தத்துடன் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். நான் குடும்பத்துடன் இருந்து இறுதி சடங்குகளை நிறைவேற்ற வேண்டியிருக்கிறது.
எனவே தயவுசெய்து [தொடக்க தேதி] முதல் [முடிவு தேதி] வரை bereavement leave in tamil (அஞ்சல் விடுப்பு) வழங்குமாறு கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறேன்.
அன்புடன்,
[உங்கள் பெயர்]
[பதவி]
[தொடர்பு எண்]
Do Check: Casual Leave Application
Subject: Extension of Bereavement Leave
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I appreciate your earlier approval of my bereavement leave application. However, due to ongoing family obligations, I request an extension of two more days.
Please advise if this can be accommodated as per the company’s bereavement leave policy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
In India, there is no central labor law mandating bereavement leave, but many private and government organizations include it as part of their HR policy. Multinational companies often provide 3–7 paid days, while public sector organizations may follow compassionate grounds leave norms.
| Organization Type | Typical Leave Duration | Paid/Unpaid |
| IT/Corporate Sector | 3–5 days | Paid |
| Government Employees | Up to 7 days | Paid |
| Small Businesses | 1–3 days | Often unpaid |
| Educational Institutions | 3–5 days | Paid/Unpaid varies |
Employees should always check their internal bereavement leave policy or HR handbook before applying.
Different countries handle bereavement leave differently:
| Country | Typical Leave Duration | Notes |
| USA | 3–5 days (not mandatory by law) | Many companies offer as part of benefits |
| UK | 2–5 days | Parental Bereavement Leave law applies |
| Canada | Up to 10 days (3 paid) | Federally regulated industries |
| Australia | 2 days per occasion | National Employment Standards |
| India | 3–7 days | As per company bereavement leave policy |
Do Check: Bhai Dooj Leave Application 2025
Bereavement leave is a humane provision that acknowledges the emotional toll of losing someone close. Every organization should define a clear bereavement leave policy ensuring fairness and compassion. Writing a respectful and clear bereavement leave application helps maintain professionalism during personal crises.
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A bereavement leave application is a formal request written by an employee to inform their manager or HR about the death of a loved one and to ask for time off to attend funeral services and perform related duties. It helps maintain professionalism while communicating a personal matter.
The number of days allowed for bereavement leave depends on the company’s bereavement leave policy. Most organizations offer between 3 to 7 days, depending on the employee’s relationship with the deceased and company rules.
In many organizations, bereavement leave is paid, especially when the loss involves an immediate family member such as a parent, spouse, or child. However, smaller firms or contractual jobs may offer unpaid leave. Employees should check their bereavement leave policy for details.
A bereavement leave application should include:
Keep the tone respectful and simple.
This depends on the organization’s bereavement leave policy. Some companies allow it for close relatives like grandparents, uncles, or aunts, while others restrict it to immediate family members only.
Not all companies require proof, but some may ask for documents like a death certificate or obituary notice. It’s best to confirm with your HR department to comply with their bereavement leave policy.