Parental bereavement leave confirmation letter template
If an employee has provided notice of them taking parental bereavement leave, issue this model letter template as confirmation.
The letter emphasises the assistance you are offering to the employee.
- 2 pages / 322 words.
- Last updated 16/09/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Parental bereavement leave confirmation letter
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Confirmation of parental bereavement leave
We are deeply sorry for your loss and are thinking of you. We would like to convey our heartfelt sympathies once more [to you and your [wife/husband/partner]].
Following our discussion on [date], I thought it would be useful if I clarified the specifics of your parental bereavement leave and let you know what further assistance we can provide you.
EITHER
[You informed us that you will be taking [one week/two weeks] of parental bereavement leave. Your leave is valid from [date] until [date].
OR
[You left work during the day on [date], thus your [one week/two weeks'] parental bereavement
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A Parental Bereavement Leave Confirmation Letter is a document that confirms an employee's eligibility for parental bereavement leave, a type of statutory leave granted to employees who have lost a child.
The purpose of this letter is to provide proof to the employer that the employee is entitled to take leave, and to specify the period of leave that the employee is allowed to take. It helps the employer to manage their staff's absence effectively and to ensure that they comply with the law on parental bereavement leave.
The confirmation letter may be issued by the employee's healthcare provider or by the employer's HR department, and it should contain information such as the employee's name, the name of the deceased child, and the period of leave that has been approved.
It is usually delivered to the Employee by the Employer / HR.
Compliance
Compliance
This Parental bereavement leave confirmation letter template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Parental Bereavement Leave is a statutory right for employees who have lost a child, which came into effect on April 6, 2020.
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Employers must grant employees who are eligible for Parental Bereavement Leave a minimum of two weeks' leave.
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The leave can be taken as a single block of two weeks or as two separate blocks of one week each, taken at different times within 56 weeks of the child's death.
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Employees must provide their employer with a written notice of their intention to take Parental Bereavement Leave, including the date on which they intend to start the leave and the length of the leave they require.
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Employers are entitled to request a copy of the employee's Child Bereavement Certificate, or a declaration signed by the employee and their partner, as proof of their eligibility for Parental Bereavement Leave.
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Employers should respond to the employee's request for Parental Bereavement Leave in writing, confirming the dates of the leave and the employee's entitlement to take the leave.
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If an employee wishes to take Parental Bereavement Leave at short notice, the employer may not be able to insist on the usual notice requirements and should consider the employee's circumstances and individual needs.
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Employers must not treat employees unfairly or discriminate against them as a result of their taking Parental Bereavement Leave.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Parental bereavement leave confirmation letter template, to understand the workflow.
Parental bereavement leave policy
Our Parental Bereavement Leave Policy Template offers compassionate support, helping employees cope with loss while maintaining work-life balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Parental bereavement leave confirmation letter template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
