Compassionate bereavement support | Guides | CIPD

The experience of bereavement will be unique for each person and will require different responses and support from their organisation. Managing an employee who has suffered a bereavement requires compassion, sensitivity and flexibility. The employee is most likely to let you know what is happening and accept support from you if you already have a good relationship with them and have built an environment that is open, respectful, kind, fair and consistent.

This guide provides advice on how to support employees who are dealing with a bereavement, both in the short and longer term. How you respond as a manager will make a huge difference to the experience of your bereaved colleague and how supported they feel when they are able to return to work.

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Understand your organisation’s bereavement policy and support
Staying in touch
Understand and accommodate any religious/cultural practices or special arrangements
Build flexible responses
Provide ongoing support
Support for you as a manager
Signpost to helpful services and resources
What to do when a member of staff dies

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