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Death Leave Application for Office: 8 Bereavement Leave Samples

Updated

Eight samples of a death leave application for office, with a simple format, a short message version, a Hindi sample and extension request.

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Leave ApplicationsEnglish
Death leave application for office samples
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A death leave application for office, also called a bereavement leave request, informs your manager that a family member has passed away and asks for leave to attend the last rites and be with your family. Keep it short: share the loss in one line, give the leave dates (or say you will confirm them), mention the leave type (bereavement leave if your company offers it, otherwise casual or earned leave), name a colleague who can handle urgent work, and say how you can be reached. A short call or message first, followed by a formal email, is common.

This guide gives a simple format, eight samples, a Hindi version and tips. We are sorry if you are going through a loss; the samples below are brief so you can send them quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Inform your manager as soon as you can; a short message is fine at first.
  • Give the dates, or say you will confirm them after the rites.
  • Some companies offer bereavement leave; otherwise use casual or earned leave.
  • Name a backup for urgent work if possible.
  • Request an extension later if rituals take more days.

Death Leave Application for Office: Format

PartExample
SubjectBereavement leave – (Name)
GreetingDear (Manager’s name),
NewsMy father passed away last night.
RequestI request leave from ___ to ___ for the last rites.
Leave typeBereavement / casual / earned leave
Cover___ will handle urgent work.
ContactI will be reachable on ___ if needed.
ClosingRegards, name
Death leave application for office: format

Write Your Leave Request

Fill in the fields on the right. The email updates as you type; copy it into your mail app.

Subject: Bereavement leave – [your name]

Dear [Manager’s name],

With deep sorrow, I inform you that my [grandfather] passed away [last night]. I request [leave] from [date] to [date] to attend the last rites and be with my family.

[___ will handle urgent tasks during this period.] [I will be reachable on my phone if needed.]

Regards,
[your name]

Fill your details

The letter updates as you type. Nothing is saved.

8 Death Leave Application for Office Samples

Names and companies below are fictional. Each death leave application for office is short, respectful and clear about dates.

1. Death of a parent (email)

Subject: Bereavement leave – Sandeep Joshi

Dear Sunita,

With deep sorrow, I inform you that my father passed away last night in Nagpur. I request leave from 1 to 13 November 2026 for the last rites and rituals.

Ankit has access to all vendor files and will handle urgent payments. I will be reachable on my phone if anything critical comes up.

Regards,
Sandeep Joshi

2. Death of a grandparent

Subject: Leave due to bereavement – Priya Iyer

Dear Rahul,

My grandmother passed away this morning. I request leave from 1 to 4 November 2026 to be with my family in Chennai.

Meera will cover my client calls. I will confirm my return date on 3 November.

Regards,
Priya Iyer

3. Short message first

Hi Sunita, my father passed away last night. I will not be able to work for the next few days. I will send a formal leave request once things settle. Ankit has my files. – Sandeep

4. Death of a relative (one or two days)

Subject: Leave on 2 and 3 November – Vivek Rao

Dear Ms. Das,

My uncle passed away yesterday, and the funeral is tomorrow in Mysuru. I request casual leave on 2 and 3 November 2026.

Meera will cover my calls.

Regards,
Vivek Rao

5. Formal letter to HR

To,
The HR Manager,
Apex Engineering Pvt. Ltd.,
Hosur

Date: 1 November 2026

Subject: Application for bereavement leave

Dear Sir,

I regret to inform you that my mother passed away on 31 October 2026. I request bereavement leave as per company policy, followed by earned leave, from 1 to 14 November 2026.

My supervisor has arranged a replacement for my shift.

Yours faithfully,
Rahul Gowda
Token No. 7781

6. Extension for rituals

Subject: Extension of leave till 16 November – Sandeep Joshi

Dear Sunita,

Thank you for your support. The final rituals for my father are on 15 November, so I request earned leave from 14 to 16 November 2026.

I will rejoin on 17 November.

Regards,
Sandeep Joshi

7. Government employee

To,
The Head of Office,
District Office,
Sagar

Date: 1 November 2026

Subject: Leave on account of death in the family

Sir,

I regret to inform you that my father expired on 31 October 2026 at my native village. I request earned leave from 1 to 14 November 2026, with permission to leave headquarters.

Charge of my section is handed over to Shri R. K. Patel.

Yours faithfully,
Anil Yadav
Assistant

8. Hindi sample

विषय: शोक अवकाश हेतु प्रार्थना

आदरणीय महोदय,

अत्यंत दुःख के साथ सूचित करना है कि कल रात मेरे पिताजी का निधन हो गया। अंतिम संस्कार और आगे के संस्कारों के लिए मुझे 1 से 13 नवंबर 2026 तक अवकाश प्रदान करने की कृपा करें।

ज़रूरी काम श्री अंकित देखेंगे।

भवदीय,
संदीप जोशी

How Many Days to Request

SituationCommon practice
Immediate family (parent, spouse, child)One to two weeks, often including rituals
Grandparent or siblingThree to seven days
Other relatives or friendsOne or two days for the funeral
Rituals later (such as the 13th-day ceremony)Separate short leave or extension
Days in a death leave application for office

Company policies differ, and managers usually understand. Therefore, do not worry about writing a perfect death leave application for office; a short, clear message is enough. You can share exact dates later.

For Managers: How to Reply

Subject: Re: Bereavement leave – Sandeep Joshi

Dear Sandeep,

I am very sorry for your loss. Please take the time you need; your leave is approved. Ankit and I will manage the work. Take care of yourself and your family.

Regards,
Sunita

Useful Phrases

PurposePhrase
Sharing the newsWith deep sorrow, I inform you that my ___ passed away ___.
Formal toneI regret to inform you that my ___ expired on ___.
RequestI request leave from ___ to ___ to attend the last rites.
Unsure datesI will confirm my return date by ___.
Cover___ will handle urgent work during this period.
Phrases for a death leave application for office

Leave Types That May Apply

Leave typeWhen it is used
Bereavement leaveIf your company policy offers it, usually for immediate family
Casual leaveOne or two days for a funeral
Earned leaveLonger periods, including rituals
Leave without payWhen paid leave is exhausted, with approval
Leave types for a death leave application for office

Many employers also allow flexible or remote work for a few days after a loss. If that helps you, mention it politely in your death leave application for office or discuss it with your manager when you are ready.

Tips

  • Keep it brief. Details are not needed.
  • Use the HR portal later; your manager can often apply on your behalf.
  • Ask about bereavement leave in your policy.
  • Share a return date when you know it.

Related Leave Formats

For longer breaks, see the earned leave application. If rituals take longer, send a leave extension application. Government staff travelling home may also need an application for out of station. The general method is in how to write leave application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write a death leave application for office?

Share the loss in one line, request leave with dates or say you will confirm them, mention the leave type, name a backup and give your contact.

What is bereavement leave?

Paid leave some companies give when a close family member dies. Policies differ.

Can I inform my manager by WhatsApp?

Yes. A short message first is common; follow up with a formal email or portal request.

How many days of leave should I ask for?

It depends on the relationship and rituals; one to two weeks for immediate family is common.

Do I need to attach a death certificate?

Usually not at first. Some employers may ask for proof later, as per policy.

Can a colleague apply on my behalf?

Many managers or HR can record the leave for you. Ask them.

How do I request more days?

Send a short extension request before your leave ends.

Is bereavement leave paid in India?

There is no general law requiring it for private employees. Many companies offer a few paid days as policy; check your HR handbook.

What should I write if I cannot give exact dates?

Say that you need leave from today and will confirm your return date after the rites.

Before You Send

Check your death leave application for office for dates and backup name, and send it as soon as you can. More formats are in our leave applications section.

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