Can I get bereavement leave from work?

What bereavement leave is

Bereavement leave is time off work after someone close to you dies. In England, Scotland and Wales, the law currently gives you three things:

Time off for dependants

Employees have a legal right to a reasonable amount of time off to deal with the death of a dependant. A dependant could be a spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent, or someone who depends on you for care.

There is no set number of days. It depends on what you need to do. Tell your employer as soon as you can how much time you need. Your employer may pay you, but does not have to. Check your contract or staff handbook for compassionate leave.

Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay

If your child dies before they turn 18, or you have a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy:

• You can take 2 weeks' leave for each child, from your first day in the job.
• Take it as 2 weeks together, 2 separate weeks, or just 1 week.
• It must finish within 56 weeks of the death or stillbirth.
• Your rights at work, such as pay rises, holiday and your job, are protected.

How much the pay is (2026/27)

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Tax and National Insurance are taken off.

To get the pay, you must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks (up to the week before the death or stillbirth) and earn on average £129 a week or more before tax.

Example 1: you earn £400 a week. 90% is £360, so you get £194.32 a week. For 2 weeks that is £388.64.

Example 2: you earn £180 a week. 90% is £162, so you get £162 a week. For 2 weeks that is £324.

A new right coming in 2027

The Employment Rights Act 2025 creates a new right to bereavement leave for all employees from day one. It will include pregnancy loss. The leave will be at least 1 week, unpaid, and you will have at least 56 days to take it. The government expects it to start in 2027. The details, such as which relationships count, are still being set.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Parental bereavement leave is up to 2 weeks, with the same rate of pay. For bereavements on or after 6 April 2026, it also covers miscarriage before 24 weeks, including for partners. You do not need medical evidence, just a declaration.

Things to know

• Tell your employer as soon as you can.
• If you are a worker but not an employee, these rights may not apply. Check your employment status.

Related guides

• What leave can I get if my child dies?
• Can I take time off for a family emergency?
• What do I need to do when someone dies?
• Can I get Bereavement Support Payment?

Where this comes from

• Time off for family and dependants (GOV.UK)
• Employment Rights Act 1996, section 57A (legislation.gov.uk)
• Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave: what you're entitled to (GOV.UK)
• Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave: check if you're eligible (GOV.UK)
• Factsheet: bereavement, paternity and unpaid parental leave (Department for Business and Trade)
• Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update (GOV.UK)
• Parental bereavement leave and pay: bereavements on or after 6 April 2026 (nidirect)