How to Ask for Bereavement Leave (And What’s Typically Offered In Pennsylvania)

Highlights

• You don’t need to have funeral arrangements finalized before telling your employer you need time away.
• Knowing who to contact can make it easier to start the conversation when you’re grieving.
• Pennsylvania employers generally set their own policies for bereavement leave, so what’s offered can vary from one workplace to another.
• If your bereavement leave isn’t enough, other types of time off may be available.

When you need to ask for bereavement leave, you may not yet know how many days you’ll need or when funeral services will take place.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before talking with your employer. Start with what you do know. You can find out what your workplace provides and update your employer as plans become clearer.

Determining who to contact and what to ask can make that conversation a little easier. If you need to ask for bereavement leave, here are five important things to keep in mind.

1. Let the right person know as soon as you reasonably can.

Depending on your workplace, you may need to contact your supervisor or HR representative. Some employers may ask you to notify both. If you aren’t sure about the procedure, explain what has happened and ask whom you should contact about taking time away.

You don’t need a formal, polished explanation. The important thing is letting your employer know that someone close to you has died and that you will need some time away.

2. Find out what your workplace provides.

Once you’ve made the initial contact, review your employer’s bereavement policy. Find out how long bereavement leave lasts and whether it’s paid. You’ll also want to know which relationships qualify and whether documentation is required.

Pennsylvania generally does not require private employers to provide separate paid bereavement leave. That makes your employer’s own policy particularly important. Some workplaces provide designated bereavement leave, while others may allow employees to use PTO (paid time off) or another type of available leave. (Source: Spotlight PA, Pennsylvania labor law doesn’t guarantee bereavement leave)

If the policy doesn’t answer your questions, talk with your supervisor or HR representative about what applies to your situation.

3. Be clear about what information you have and what isn’t finalized yet.

Funeral arrangements can take time to come together. You may know that you need tomorrow off but have no idea yet when services will take place. Or perhaps relatives are still making travel plans or you’re helping make the arrangements.

Give your employer what information you have. You can provide additional details as plans are finalized.

When asking for bereavement leave, it can be as simple as:

“My mother passed away, and I need to take bereavement leave. We’re still making funeral arrangements, so I don’t know the exact dates yet. Can you tell me what leave is available and what you need from me for the request?”

This gets the conversation started without requiring you to have every detail settled.

4. The time you need may not fit neatly into a workplace policy.

There may be arrangements to make before the service or responsibilities that continue afterward. If relatives are coming from out of town or you’re traveling for the funeral, timing may also be less predictable. And sometimes you simply need a little more time before you’re ready to return to work.

If the bereavement period your employer provides isn’t enough, ask what else may be available. PTO or personal time may be possibilities, depending on the workplace. Some employers may also allow unpaid leave or a temporary schedule adjustment.

5. Keep work details as simple as possible while you’re away.

If you’re able, take care of anything time-sensitive before stepping away. That might mean letting the appropriate person know where a project stands or setting an out-of-office message.

It’s also helpful to establish whether your employer should contact you while you’re away. If there’s nothing that requires your attention, allow yourself to disconnect and focus on what you need to do during that time.

Bereavement leave is time away from work. It shouldn’t become another version of working remotely.

Give yourself time for what matters now. You may need time to make arrangements, be with the people you love or simply begin processing your grief. Understanding what your employer provides can take one practical concern off your plate while you focus on the days ahead.

FAQs

1. Who should I tell first if I need bereavement leave?
Check your employer’s policy. Depending on the workplace, you may need to contact your immediate supervisor, HR representative or both. If you aren’t sure, tell your supervisor what has happened and ask who you should contact.

2. What if funeral arrangements haven’t been finalized yet?
You don’t have to wait until every detail is settled to speak with your employer. Share what you know and let them know that you’ll provide dates or other information once arrangements are confirmed.

3. What should I say when asking for bereavement leave?
Keep it simple. Explain that someone close to you has died and that you need time away from work. Share any dates you already know and ask what information your employer needs from you.

4. What if my employer doesn’t provide enough bereavement leave?
Find out whether another type of leave can be used. Depending on your workplace, that might include PTO, personal time or unpaid leave. A temporary schedule adjustment may also be possible.

5. Can I use PTO for a funeral in Pennsylvania?
That depends on your employer’s policies. Check your workplace policy or ask HR whether available PTO can be used when you need additional time following a loss.

Knowing how to ask for bereavement leave can make this part of a difficult time a little easier. Batchelor Brothers & Jones is here to help with the funeral arrangements and provide caring support along the way. Please contact us anytime.

About Batchelor Brothers & Jones Funeral Services: A trusted African American-owned funeral and cremation provider, Batchelor Brothers & Jones Funeral Services proudly serves the Philadelphia community with compassion and care. Established in 2025 through the merger of Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services and The Escamillio D. Jones Funeral Home, the firm brings together more than 25 years of combined experience and a shared commitment to honoring lives with dignity. With two convenient locations in North and West Philadelphia, Batchelor Brothers & Jones offers a full range of personalized services—including funerals, cremations, memorials, repast planning, and grief support—delivered with cultural sensitivity and a deep connection to the community. To learn more, visit www.batchelorbrothersjones.com or call 215-549-4700.