2. Learn about bereavement leave

You may be able to take up to 2 days of bereavement leave each calendar year if:

• you worked for your employer for at least 2 weeks in a row, and
• someone in your family dies.

A calendar year goes from January 1 to December 31.

Your employer does not have to pay you for bereavement leave, unless you have a contract or workplace policy that says they do. Read more in the Answer under the heading Getting paid.

When you can take the leave

You get 2 days even if you started working for your employer partway through the year.

Bereavement leave only applies to certain family members, including a relative who depends on you for care or assistance.

You can take the leave when your family member dies. Or you can take it later, for example, to go to their funeral or to do something for their estate.

Tell your employer

Tell your employer as soon as you know you need to take bereavement leave.

If you must start your leave before talking to your employer, contact them as soon as you can.

It's a good idea to tell your employer in writing. You can send an email, text message, or letter.

If you speak to your employer, send them a written note right after. Include what you told them and when. That way, you have proof that you told your employer. This will help if your employer tries to punish you for taking time off work.

Proving you need a leave

Your employer can ask for “reasonable” proof that you need to take a leave. What's reasonable depends on things like:

• how long you need the leave to be
• any past leaves you had where you were off work
• whether you can get proof of why you need the leave and how much it would cost

For example, your employer may require you to show them your family member's obituary.