Bereavement Leave Notification Letter Template & Generator

If you need to notify employer of bereavement and request statutory leave entitlement, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong bereavement leave notification should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• State the relationship to the deceased
• Reference the applicable statutory leave entitlement
• State the expected dates of absence
• Request written confirmation of the leave being granted

Notifying your employer correctly

Parental Bereavement Leave doesn't require advance notice in the way annual leave typically does — you can take the leave as soon as reasonably practicable after the loss, and notify your employer at the same time or shortly afterwards rather than needing formal advance sign-off. Putting this notification in writing, even briefly, creates a clear record of when your leave started and protects your position around pay and return-to-work arrangements.

What to include before you send it

• Confirmation of the date of the loss and the date your leave began or will begin
• A clear statement that you're taking your statutory entitlement to Parental Bereavement Leave
• Whether you're taking the leave as a single block or in two separate weeks (both are permitted)
• Any request for statutory pay, if you meet the qualifying criteria

Timing your notification

You have flexibility here — the leave can be taken any time within 56 weeks of the loss, which recognises that grief and its practical demands don't always follow a fixed timetable. There's no requirement to take it immediately, though most people choose to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both parents get this leave separately?
Yes — each parent is entitled to their own 2 weeks, independently of what the other parent takes or whether they're entitled to it at all.

Can I split the two weeks up?
Yes, you can take the 2 weeks as a single continuous block or as two separate weeks, whichever suits your circumstances.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.