In the United Kingdom, the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 gives employed parents the right to take up to two weeks of leave if they lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy. Eligible employees also receive Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay at the same rate as other statutory family leave payments.

Statutory entitlement

Up to two weeks of parental bereavement leave. Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay at £184.03 per week (2025/26) or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Eligibility

All employees are entitled to parental bereavement leave from day one of employment. To qualify for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay, employees must have 26 weeks of continuous service and earnings above the Lower Earnings Limit. The entitlement applies to parents who lose a child under 18 or experience a stillbirth at 24+ weeks.

Employer obligations

  • Grant up to two weeks of parental bereavement leave to all eligible employees, regardless of length of service.
  • Pay Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay to employees who meet the earnings and service criteria.
  • Maintain employment terms during bereavement leave.
  • Allow the leave to be taken within 56 weeks of the child's death.
  • Not require evidence of the child's death as a condition of granting leave.

Employee rights

  • Right to two weeks of leave from day one of employment — no qualifying period for leave.
  • Right to take leave in a single block of two weeks or as two separate one-week blocks.
  • Right to receive statutory pay if earnings and service thresholds are met.
  • Protection from dismissal or detriment for taking parental bereavement leave.

Common pitfalls

  • Requiring a death certificate or other evidence before granting leave — employers should grant leave on the employee's declaration.
  • Confusing parental bereavement leave with general compassionate leave — there is no statutory right to compassionate leave for non-parental bereavement.
  • Failing to pay statutory parental bereavement pay to eligible employees — the pay obligation is automatic if criteria are met.

Who qualifies as a parent?

The definition of 'parent' is broad: biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, legal guardians, and anyone with whom the child lived for at least four weeks before death. Partners of parents are also covered if they lived with the child and the parent in the same household for at least four weeks.

How the leave can be taken

Parents can take the two weeks as a single block or two separate one-week blocks. Each block can start on any day of the week. The leave must be taken within 56 weeks of the child's death.

What if the employee doesn't qualify for pay?

Even if an employee does not qualify for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (e.g. insufficient service or earnings), they are still entitled to the two weeks of leave. The leave itself is a day-one right.

Frequently asked questions

Is there statutory bereavement leave for the death of a spouse or other family member?

No. UK law only provides statutory bereavement leave for parents who lose a child under 18 or suffer a stillbirth. For other bereavement situations, employers may offer compassionate leave voluntarily, but there is no statutory entitlement.

Does parental bereavement leave count towards continuous service?

Yes. Time on parental bereavement leave counts as continuous employment for all purposes, including holiday accrual and service-based benefits.

Can an employer offer more than two weeks?

Yes. Employers can offer enhanced contractual bereavement leave that exceeds the statutory minimum. Many employers do so as part of their compassionate leave policies.

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.