Bereavement Leave Letter

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When an employee suffers the death of an immediate family member, he or she is usually entitled to a few days of paid vacation leave in order to take care of family arrangements. An additional few days of unpaid leave may be available in most situations. The bereaved employee needs to write a formal bereavement leave letter to employers, clearly stating the situation and the dates needed off from work.

Format and Content

The typical bereavement leave letter format is similar to most business letters, with your address, your employer’s address and the date at the top of the page. The letter should include a brief summary of your bereavement situation, your request for bereavement leave, and the date on which you plan to return to work. Some companies may require proof in order to grant paid leave, so be sure to familiarize yourself with company policies on different types of leave. Include your contact information and any other important details which may be pertinent to your work situation.

Sample

Here is a bereavement leave letter sample, written by an employee whose father has passed away. He is flying out of state immediately in order to tend to the funeral arrangements and requests that his employers grant him 3 days of paid leave with 3 additional days of unpaid leave. He clearly states when he is taking the leave and when he will return to the office.