Bereavement leave in BC gives employees up to 3 days of unpaid, job-protected leave on the death of a member of their immediate family. The days don't have to be taken together, they don't have to be for a funeral, and in most cases there's no minimum length of service before an employee can take it.
I've taken this from the B.C. government's leaves of absence page and its interpretation guide to section 53 of the Employment Standards Act, both read in October 2026. The insight people miss is that the 3 days are tied to each death, and that BC has much longer leaves for some situations that employers often forget to mention.
BC bereavement leave at a glance
| Rule | B.C. Employment Standards |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 3 days on the death of an immediate family member |
| Paid? | No, unless the employer and employee agree |
| Consecutive? | No, the days can be split |
| Only for a funeral? | No |
| Must start on the date of death? | No |
| Service needed | In most cases none |
What the leave can be used for
The interpretation guide says the leave is for an employee to grieve, attend a funeral and take care of issues relating to the death. An employee can take less than 3 days if they want to. Because the days don't have to be consecutive, someone could take a day after the death and two more later for a memorial or to deal with an estate.
Who counts as immediate family
Section 1 of the Act defines immediate family as the employee's:
- Spouse, including a common-law or same sex partner.
- Child, including a stepchild.
- Parent or guardian, including a step-parent.
- Sibling.
- Grandchild or grandparent.
- Any person who lives with the employee as a member of the employee's family.
Partners and their children are included as long as they live with the employee as a member of the family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews aren't on the list unless they live with the employee as family. That's narrower than Alberta, which covers extended family and close friends treated like relatives.
Proof and pay
The law doesn't require payment unless the employer and employee agree to it. On proof, the guide says that if there's a dispute it would be reasonable for an employer to ask for proof of death and of the relationship. That's different from Alberta, where the legislation doesn't require documentation.
Your job is protected
Section 54 of the Act says an employer can't terminate an employee or change a condition of employment without the employee's written consent because of a leave under this part of the Act. Employment is treated as continuous during the leave. If an employer breaks the rules, the director of employment standards can order a remedy, and the determination includes an escalating monetary penalty. Where there's a collective agreement, disputes go through the grievance procedure instead.
Longer leaves that may apply
Bereavement leave is short, but BC has other unpaid, job-protected leaves an employee may be entitled to around a death or serious illness:
| Leave | Length | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Leave respecting the death of a child | 104 weeks | If the employee's child dies, starting on the date of death |
| Compassionate care leave | Up to 27 weeks in a 52-week period | Caring for a family member with a serious condition and significant risk of death within 26 weeks, with a medical certificate |
| Critical illness or injury leave | Up to 36 weeks for a child, 16 weeks for an adult family member | Caring for a family member whose life is at risk from illness or injury |
| Serious personal illness or injury | Up to 27 weeks in 52 weeks | The employee can't work because of their own illness or injury |
The B.C. page's own example is an employee on compassionate care leave whose spouse dies: the compassionate care leave ends that week, and they can then ask for up to 3 days of bereavement leave. If an employee's own health is affected, my BC sick leave guide covers the paid sick days as well.
BC versus Alberta
| British Columbia | Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | Up to 3 | Up to 3 |
| Per death or per year | On each death of an immediate family member | Per calendar year |
| Service needed | None in most cases | 90 days |
| Family covered | Immediate family and those living as family | Immediate and extended family, plus close relatives by choice |
| Paid | No, unless agreed | No, unless in a contract |
Alberta's rules come from its own bereavement leave page, read the same day. My bereavement leave guide covers the UK, the US, Australia and Ontario.
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For BC employers
- Grant up to 3 unpaid days for each death of an immediate family member, from day one of employment.
- Let staff split the days and use them for any purpose connected to the death.
- Only ask for proof if there's a real dispute about the death or relationship.
- Tell staff about compassionate care and child death leave where relevant.
- Keep their job and conditions unchanged during the leave.
For the wider set of rules, see my guide to the BC Employment Standards Act.
My verdict
BC's bereavement leave is three unpaid days for each death in the immediate family, with no waiting period and flexible use. It's narrower than Alberta's on who counts as family, but it doesn't share 3 days across the year. If you're an employer, paying for those days is the simplest way to support staff, and mentioning the longer leaves is the kindest.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of bereavement leave do you get in BC?
Up to 3 days of unpaid leave on the death of a member of your immediate family.
Is bereavement leave paid in BC?
No. There's no requirement for payment unless the employer and employee agree.
Do bereavement days in BC have to be consecutive?
No. They don't have to be consecutive, don't have to be for a funeral and don't have to start on the date of death.
Who counts as immediate family in BC?
A spouse, child, parent, guardian, sibling, grandchild or grandparent, and anyone living with the employee as family.
Can a BC employer ask for proof of death?
The guidance says it would be reasonable to ask for proof of death and the relationship if there's a dispute.
How long is leave if a child dies in BC?
An employee is entitled to 104 weeks of unpaid leave if their child dies.
