One-third overwhelmed in navigating legal process and administrative matters like probate and estate management
Canadian employers might want to provide better support to workers who are dealing with a loss of a loved one, judging by the findings of a survey.
It found that 80% of Canadians would value a clear, step-by-step guide to support them through the days and weeks following a loved one’s death.
Nearly 60% report not being knowledgeable about how and where to seek help for grief. And less than one-third know about the probate process, while just two in five know how to navigate claiming benefits, filing taxes and receiving grief support.
“Lack of awareness about available resources could be a contributor to those not seeking support,” says Sun Life.
In 2023, Ottawa proposed to amend the Canada Labour Code and create a leave for federal workers who experience miscarriage or stillbirth.
Despite the need for greater support, just one in 10 Canadians have sought professional grief support, found Sun Life.
According to Sun Life’s January 2025 survey of 1,001 Canadians, 90% of respondents have experienced the death of a close family member. Among them, two-thirds have had to manage responsibilities such as:
In this process, almost 40% struggle to manage the deceased’s personal affairs and belongings. Specifically,
Here are the current bereavement leave entitlements in different parts of Canada:
|
Jurisdiction |
Entitlement |
Details |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Federal |
Up to 10 days (first 3 days paid after 3 months of continuous employment) |
Leave must be taken within the period beginning on the day of the death and ending six weeks after the latest of the funeral, burial, or memorial service. |
|
|
Alberta |
Up to 3 days unpaid |
Employees with at least 90 days of employment are entitled to bereavement leave upon the death of a family member. |
|
|
British Columbia |
Up to 3 days unpaid |
Leave can be taken upon the death of an immediate family member. |
|
|
Manitoba |
Up to 3 days unpaid |
Employees must have worked for at least 30 days to be eligible. |
|
|
New Brunswick |
Up to 5 days unpaid |
Leave must be taken consecutively and start no later than the day of the funeral. |
|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador |
1 day paid and 2 days unpaid (after 30 days of employment) |
For employees with less than 30 days of employment, entitlement is 2 days unpaid. |
|
|
Nova Scotia |
Up to 5 consecutive days unpaid |
Leave is available upon the death of an immediate family member. |
|
|
Northwest Territories |
3 days unpaid (within NWT) or 7 days unpaid (outside NWT) |
Leave duration depends on the location of the funeral or memorial service. |
|
|
Nunavut |
Up to 5 days paid (special leave) |
Bereavement leave falls under special leave provisions. |
|
|
Ontario |
Up to 2 days unpaid per calendar year |
Employees must have worked for at least 2 consecutive weeks to be eligible. |
|
|
Prince Edward Island |
1 day paid and 2 days unpaid |
Leave is available upon the death of immediate family members. |
|
|
Quebec |
5 days, including 2 paid days |
Leave is available upon the death of a spouse, child, or parent. |
|
|
Saskatchewan |
Up to 5 days unpaid |
Employees must have worked for at least 13 consecutive weeks to be eligible. |
|
|
Yukon |
Up to 7 days unpaid |
If an employee is designated by the family of a deceased member of a First Nation as the person responsible for organizing the funeral potlatch, the employee is entitled to leave without pay of up to one week. |
|
|
Jurisdiction |
Entitlement |
Details |
Source |
