Bereavement leave Canada rules depend on who regulates your employer, so the answer isn't the same for everyone. Federal law covers banks, telecoms and airlines, while provincial employment standards cover almost everyone else. Here's what each set gives you, and how to take bereavement leave and plan your return to work without risking your job.
Bereavement leave rules in Canada depend on who regulates your employer.Who Is Entitled to Bereavement Leave in Canada?
Bereavement leave is job-protected time off you can take after the death of a family member. And it doesn't run on a single rulebook. Ottawa sets the rules for some workplaces, while each province handles the rest. So before you organize a funeral, or arrange a direct cremation in Quebec, check which rules apply.
Canada Labour Code: Bereavement Leave for Employees of Federally Regulated Employers
The Canada Labour Code applies to federally regulated employers, which employ about 6 per cent of Canadian workers. If a member of your immediate family dies, you're entitled to up to 10 days of leave. And you'll receive three days of paid leave once you've completed three consecutive months of continuous employment with the employer.
In the event of the death, you can take the leave in one or two periods. Bereavement leave can be taken until six weeks after the funeral or memorial service. If you lose a child, or the child of your spouse or common-law partner, you get up to eight weeks. But according to the federal leave rules, you need only written notice, not other documents.
Compassionate Care Leave, Parental Leave and Maternity Leave
Other leaves can help too. Compassionate care leave and leave related to critical illness let you provide care or support before a death. Parental leave, maternity leave and injury leave cover different life events. Grief does often start well before the loss, so it helps to understand grief and its stages before you choose.
Rules for Bereavement Leave Under Provincial Employment Standards
Most Canadian workers fall under provincial or territorial employment standards, and the rules differ from one province to the next. That's why your employer's policy matters. An employment contract or collective agreement can add to the leave provided by law, but it can't reduce it. So read yours before you count your days.
Unpaid Bereavement Leave and the Employment Standards Code
In Alberta, the Employment Standards Code makes you eligible for bereavement leave after 90 days, with 3 days of bereavement leave per calendar year. British Columbia grants three days of unpaid leave per death, while Ontario grants two days per year after two weeks of work. Keep in mind that all three provide unpaid bereavement leave, so your employer doesn't have to pay for any day of leave.
Quebec: Paid Days After the Death of a Family Member
Quebec does offer paid bereavement leave after the death of an immediate family member, whatever your length of service. You can take five days, including two days of leave with pay. The other three aren't paid, and a grandparent's or in-law's death gives you one day off without pay. You can review the CNESST death and funeral rules to confirm the details.
Eligibility, Notice to Your Employer and How to Take the Leave
Eligibility usually depends on your length of service and your relationship to the person who died. To take bereavement leave, tell your employer in writing as soon as you can, and check your contract of employment for extra days. Many families plan the memorial service for later, so they compare a simple cremation with a traditional service before choosing dates. Then follow these steps:
- Confirm whether federal or provincial rules apply,
- Send written notice with the reasons for the leave and the length of the leave,
- Ask for extra days to attend a funeral or memorial far from home,
- Agree on your return to work date and keep every message.
Length of Leave, Leave of Absence and Return to Work
After a family member's death, grief ignores your employer's calendar, so plan your return to work before the length of leave ends. Ask for a phased return to work, or take a leave of absence if you need longer. Your job stays protected during the period of leave. If the death happened in Quebec, speak with an Azur funeral advisor at any hour, and we'll handle the formalities.
FAQ about Bereavement Leave in Canada
How Many Days of Bereavement Leave Do You Get in Canada?
It depends on your jurisdiction. Federally regulated employees get up to 10 days, and the first three are paid after three months of service. Quebec gives five days, two of them paid. Alberta and British Columbia allow three days without pay, while Ontario allows two. Employers must grant bereavement leave, and some add more.
Is Bereavement Leave Paid or Unpaid?
It's both, depending on where you work. Federal rules and Quebec include paid days, but Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario only guarantee time off without pay. That's why your employment contract matters, since many employers offer a paid leave policy that goes further than the law. Ask your employer for the written policy.
Can Bereavement Leave Lead to Termination of Employment?
No. Canadian law protects your job during the leave, so an employer can't dismiss, demote or discipline you for taking it. Any termination of employment tied to your absence could lead to a complaint. If you need more time, ask for unpaid leave or a leave of absence from employment, and confirm your return to work date.
Which Relatives Are Considered Family Members?
Your spouse or common-law partner, children, parents and siblings are covered almost everywhere. Provinces and territories treat other relatives differently, so grandparents, in-laws and aunts or uncles may or may not be considered family members. Check the definition in your jurisdiction, and keep in mind that a close friend usually isn't covered.
