The death of a loved one is a moment when work naturally becomes less important. In Poland, the law provides what is known as compassionate leave (special leave for a funeral), allowing employees to take time off work without losing pay.

In practice, however, many questions arise: how many days of leave are granted, whether the leave is paid, whether a death certificate is required, and whether an employer can refuse the request.

There is no unified law on bereavement leave in the European Union. Each country regulates these matters individually, through national legislation or collective agreements.

Bereavement leave in Germany

• Standard: usually 1–2 days (no statutory regulation)
• Legal basis: §616 of the German Civil Code
• In practice: depends on the employment contract or collective agreements

Source: Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany: Bundesministerium der Justiz

Bereavement leave in Belgium

• Known as "petit chômage" / "klein verlet"
• Standard: 10 days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of a spouse or partner, a child, a child of the spouse/partner, or a child in long-term foster care. Additionally, 3 days of leave apply in the event of the death of the employee's father, mother, stepfather, or stepmother.
• Paid: yes

Source: Belgian Federal Public Service Employment (equivalent of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy in Poland): Belgian Federal Public Service Employment

Bereavement leave in the Netherlands

• No specified number of days in legislation
• Leave falls under emergency/short-term leave provisions
• Rules are determined by the employer or contract

Source: Official portal of the Dutch government: Rijksoverheid

Bereavement leave in Spain

• Standard: 2 days (4 days if travel is required)
• Who it covers: close relatives (up to the second degree of kinship)
• Paid: yes

Source: Official government legislation (equivalent of the Labour Code): Gobierno de España – Estatuto de los Trabajadores

Bereavement leave in Denmark

• No statutory right to bereavement leave
• Usually regulated by collective agreements

Source: Official public services portal of Denmark: Borger.dk

Bereavement leave in Ireland

• No general statutory right to bereavement leave
• Rules are determined by the employer or contract

Source: Official information portal of the Irish government: Citizens Information Ireland

Bereavement leave in the United Kingdom

• No general right to paid bereavement leave
• Employees may take a "reasonable amount" of unpaid time off in urgent family situations
• Exception: Parental Bereavement Leave
  • Up to 2 weeks
  • May be paid (subject to conditions being met)

Source: www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

The best scenario is granting funeral leave for whoever needs it and providing at least a working week for their bereavement, but your business might not be in a position to allow staff to take unplanned time off.

Here are some scenarios:

You CAN grant time off

• Call or speak in person with your employee, tell them you’re granting them time off, and let them choose the dates. Letting them choose provides the flexibility they need to attend the funeral and see to family matters.

You CAN’T grant time off

• Provide an alternative, such as time off on X date, or a few days off next week with pay, rather than granting time off for a funeral. It won’t go down well and will create resentment, but at least it’s something.

What NOT to do

• Tell them they’ve already had too much time off.
• Mention that the death isn’t significant enough to warrant leave.

What TO do

• Respond in good time, don’t leave the person guessing.
• Provide some kind of support, such as extra breaks or leaving a bit early.
• Consider sympathy flowers if they have a place and have them delivered to an appropriate place.

Your response either way should be professional and uncondescending, so don’t hammer the line that you’re so sorry for their loss.

Returning to work following a funeral is a slap down to reality. There’s a chance you can think of nothing worse than being there, but then again, that means there’s no nicer thought than clocking off.

Ease back into your role and try not to think about the funeral or your loss. Keep it together and work with the mindset that you’re getting stuff done.

A productive schedule will see you through difficult times and provide purpose when all you want to do is be at home. Brightening your day works, too. You can add flowers to your desk, go on walks, and see about those things you’ve been thinking of doing.