Close Relative's Funeral: Paid Leave
· Updated · 2 min read
Summary
The law does not guarantee paid funeral leave, but in many sectors a close relative's funeral day is paid under the collective agreement. If the agreement does not provide for paid leave, the employer may grant paid or unpaid leave at their discretion. Justify the need and notify in good time.
Key points
- Whether the leave is paid is determined primarily by the collective agreement.
- The definition of a close relative varies between agreements.
- Notify the employer as early as possible and provide the required documentation.
Rights and agreements
- Law: absence for compelling family reasons under the Employment Contracts Act (Ch. 4, Sec. 7) covers sudden situations caused by illness or accident, and the employer has no statutory duty to pay wages for it.
- Collective agreement: in many sectors a close relative's funeral day is paid (e.g. KVTES, VES); under the retail sector TES a short absence due to a death and funeral does not reduce earnings. Check your own agreement.
- Employment contract: may contain more specific terms on absences.
- Employer's practice: possibility of paid/unpaid leave in the absence of an agreement.
Documents for the employer
- Death certificate/notification or other documentation required by the employer.
- Details of the service (date, location) and duration of the absence.
- Any travel or organisational justifications for the period of absence.
Practical steps
Check your collective/employment agreement, discuss with your supervisor, and agree on the duration and payment of the leave. Paid leave often covers at least the funeral day; a longer absence is agreed separately if needed.
Request template (email)
Subject: Absence request – close relative's funeral
Hello [Supervisor's name], I am requesting leave on [date–date] due to my close relative's funeral. Based on my collective/employment agreement, the absence is [paid/unpaid]. I will attach the required documentation. Kind regards, [Name]
Frequently asked questions
Is funeral leave always paid?
No, funeral leave is not automatically paid. The Employment Contracts Act (55/2001) Chapter 4, Section 7 gives a right to temporary absence when the employee's immediate presence is necessary because of an unforeseeable and compelling reason caused by an illness or accident in the family. Under Section 8 of the same chapter, the employer has no statutory obligation to pay wages for such absence. Whether funeral leave is paid therefore depends on the applicable collective agreement (TES), the employment contract, or the employer's practice. For example, under the municipal KVTES and the state VES a close relative's funeral day is a paid day off, and the retail sector (kauppa) TES provides that a short absence due to a close relative's death and funeral is arranged where possible without loss of earnings. Under the technology industry TES, employees are entitled to time off on a close relative's funeral day, but working-time reduction days are primarily used for it. If the collective agreement does not cover the situation, the employer may still grant paid or unpaid leave at their discretion.
How long is the leave?
The duration is defined by the applicable collective agreement or the employment contract. In many agreements the paid leave covers the funeral day itself: under KVTES, a close relative's funeral day (siunauspäivä) falling on a working day is a paid day off. Under the state VES, a close relative's funeral day and at most one day due to the death of a family member are paid. Under the retail sector TES, a short absence means the time needed for arrangements arising from the death and funeral, and for absences longer than a day the employer may ask for an advance explanation. Employers can generally ask for documentation of the need for absence. Always check your own collective agreement and employment contract and discuss with your supervisor as early as possible.
Who is considered a close relative?
The definition of a close relative varies between collective agreements. Typically close relatives are the spouse, children, parents and siblings. Some agreements also include grandparents and the spouse's parents (for example the retail sector TES lists grandparents and parents-in-law), while others do not (for example the KVTES funeral-day provision does not mention grandparents). The status of a cohabiting partner varies: in some agreements it is treated the same as a spouse, in others not. It is important to check the precise definition in your own sector's collective agreement, as this determines whether paid leave is granted.
Read also
The estate inventory must be conducted within three months of the deceased's death. Learn about calculating the deadline, consequences, and requesting an extension.
Funeral timelines: typical scheduling, bookings, and exceptions. A practical guide for the family.
Funeral etiquette: arriving, condolences, photography, address cards and behaviour. For guests and the family.