Special Leave for Funerals in Poland & Abroad
Funerals are awful without the stress of wondering if you can even go to them. It’s pleasing to know, then, that many countries have special leave for funerals, although there isn’t an automatic right to paid leave in most places.
This article provides clarity on the customs for special funeral leave across Poland and other countries, with some additional notes on etiquette and what the law says.
Funeral Leave Regulations in Poland
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.
Questions about funeral leave regulations in Poland
Under Polish law, an employee is entitled to the following leave in the event of the death and funeral of a close person:
2 days off:
- death and funeral of:
- a spouse
- a child
- a mother or father
- a stepfather or stepmother
1 day off:
- death and funeral of:
- a grandmother or grandfather
- a sibling
- parents-in-law
- other persons dependent on or in the care of the employee
In short, paid bereavement leave for the funeral of a parent is 2 days, while for the funeral of a sibling, grandmother, or grandfather you are entitled to 1 day of paid leave.
In the case of the death of a more distant family member, paid bereavement leave is only available if that person was financially dependent on you or in your care.
The right to bereavement leave in Poland applies to:
- employees on an employment contract (umowa o pracę)
- employees who have lost a spouse, child, parent, stepfather or stepmother, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, parent-in-law, or another person financially dependent on or in the care of the employee
This does not automatically apply to other forms of Polish emplyment:
- contract for services (umowa zlecenia)
- contract for specific work (umowa o dzieło)
In these cases, everything depends on the employer.
Yes, bereavement leave for a funeral in Poland is paid at 100% if the employee meets the conditions outlined above.
If you meet the requirements regarding your relationship with the deceased and your type of employment contract:
- you receive your normal salary
- bereavement leave is calculated the same way as a standard working day
No. If you meet the requirements regarding your relationship with the deceased and your type of employment contract, bereavement leave does NOT reduce your annual leave entitlement. It is an additional benefit for employees on an employment contract under Polish law.
Yes, if you meet the conditions, the employer:
- cannot refuse if the situation complies with the regulations
- may only ask for proof
Most often, yes. An employer may ask the employee for proof in the form of a death certificate of a family member. However, it is not always required before the leave is taken.
No. You can take it:
- on the day of the funeral
- before the funeral (e.g. to handle formalities)
- after the funeral
Important: it must be connected to the event, but does not have to fall on the exact date
If you are not entitled to bereavement leave, you can request:
- annual leave
- unpaid leave
- sick leave (in special circumstances)
No. Bereavement leave is not limited to a single use per year. Funeral leave is granted separately for each event. If you experience several such situations in one year, you can take bereavement leave for a family member's funeral more than once.
No, paid bereavement leave does not automatically apply in the case of the death of a partner if you are not married.
The law covers only:
- a spouse
- family within a specified degree of kinship
An exception applies to persons who were financially dependent on or in the care of the employee.
There is no such right under Polish law. Paid bereavement leave does not automatically apply in the case of the death of a partner if you are not married. An engagement does not grant the right to paid bereavement leave for the death of a fiancé or fiancée.
An exception applies to persons who were financially dependent on or in the care of the employee.
No. Labour law does not cover friends or unrelated persons.
Plase note: An exception applies to persons who were financially dependent on or in the care of the employee.
Bereavement Leave in EU and Europe
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)
For Employers: How to Handle Special Leave Requests
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: How to Handle It
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.
