Bereavement Leave in the UAE: How Many Days, Rules, and Application Samples (2026 Guide)

Bereavement leave is paid time off granted to an employee following the death of a close family member. In the UAE, employees are entitled to 5 paid days off for the death of a spouse and 3 paid days off for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent.

Quick Summary

• What is it: Often referred to as bereavement compassionate leave, it is paid time off granted to an employee following the death of an immediate family member.
• Duration: 5 days for a spouse, and 3 days for a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or a bereavement leave grandparent scenario.
• Mandatory? Yes, under the UAE bereavement leave regulations (Article 32 of the UAE Labour Law), it is a statutory right for private sector employees.
• Paid? Yes, it is fully paid.

Understanding Bereavement Leave

If you are wondering exactly what bereavement leave is, the core bereavement leave meaning revolves around an emergency paid absence designed to give employees time to grieve, handle funeral arrangements, and manage family affairs after the loss of a loved one.

In the Middle East, particularly the UAE, it is legally distinct from annual leave or sick leave. This means employers cannot deduct these grieving days from your regular vacation balance.

UAE Labour Law: How Many Days Are You Entitled To?

One of the most common questions HR receives is regarding bereavement leave and how many days are legally permitted. The law is very specific about exactly how many days bereavement leave an employee receives based on their relationship to the deceased.

According to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employees are entitled to:

• 5 days in the event of the death of a spouse.
• 3 days in the event of the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent.

Important notes on the law:

• The leave begins immediately from the date of death, not from the date you notify your employer.
• The law covers immediate family. In-laws are not automatically covered by default; granting leave for in-laws is up to the employer's internal policy.

How to Apply for Bereavement Leave: Step by Step

Because this leave is inherently unpredictable, the application process relies on immediate notification followed by formal documentation later.

Option A: Immediate Email or Message

Initial Notice: As soon as practicable, send a short message to your manager so they know you will not be working.

Formal Application: Send an email to HR formally requesting that the bereavement leave UAE guidelines be applied to your absence.

Provide Proof: Upon your return to work, submit a death certificate. If the death occurred overseas, the company might request an attested certificate or travel documents, though many HR teams handle this flexibly.

Option B: Through the HRMS Portal

• Log into your company's employee self-service portal.
• Select Compassionate Leave or Bereavement Leave from the drop-down menu.
• Enter the date of passing as the start date.
• Upload the official death certificate or related documentation and submit it for HR validation.

Bereavement Leave Application Format & Sample

When dealing with a personal loss, you should not have to worry about drafting the perfect email. Use this standard bereavement leave letter sample to notify your employer smoothly.

Standard Notification Email

Subject: Bereavement Leave Application – [Your Name]

Dear [Manager's Name] and HR Team,

I am writing to inform you of the passing of my [Relationship, e.g., father/spouse] on [Date of Death]. As per company policy and UAE Labour Law, I will be taking bereavement leave starting today.

I expect to return to the office on [Return Date]. I will provide the necessary documentation upon my return.

[Colleague's Name] is aware of my absence and can assist with urgent matters while I am away.

Regards,\ [Your Name] | [Employee ID]

HR Best Practices for Managing Compassionate Leave

Handling bereavement requires a balance of legal compliance and human empathy.

Do Not Delay: Approve the leave immediately. Do not withhold approval pending the death certificate; collect the proof upon the employee's return.

Ensure Full Pay: Verify that payroll is updated to reflect that this is a fully paid leave. No salary deductions should be practiced.

Be Flexible: If an expatriate employee needs to travel home for a funeral and requires more than the statutory 3 or 5 days, offer them the option to use their annual leave or take unpaid leave to cover the extra travel time.

FAQs

Does bereavement leave apply to employees on probation?

Yes, length of service does not matter. Even newly hired employees qualify for this statutory right.

Are weekends included in the leave count?

The law does not explicitly state whether the 3 or 5 days are calendar days or working days. Most employers clarify this within their internal company policy, though best practice leans toward counting them as working days.

Is an international death certificate accepted?

Yes, expatriates are entitled to this leave if a family member passes away outside the UAE. Employers generally accept international death certificates, though some may request official translations or attestations depending on their internal policy framework.