EMPLOYEE FUNERAL BENEFITS
Employee Funeral Benefits in Australia | What You Need to Know
Losing a loved one is always difficult — and when it happens during your working life, the emotional toll can be compounded by financial stress and the need to take time off. That’s why many Australian employers offer employee funeral benefits, including paid bereavement leave, access to counselling, and in some cases, funeral assistance.
At eziFunerals, we help Australian workers understand their rights and options when it comes to funeral-related employee entitlements — and how to access support during one of life’s most challenging times.
What Are Employee Funeral Benefits?
Employee funeral benefits refer to workplace entitlements that support staff after the death of a family member or colleague. These may include:
- Bereavement leave (paid or unpaid)
- Grief counselling or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Compassionate allowances or hardship funds
- Access to financial advice or funeral planning services
- Company-paid funeral costs (in rare cases)
These benefits help ease the burden on employees, so they can manage their loss without added stress or pressure.
What Is Bereavement Leave in Australia?
Bereavement leave, also known as compassionate leave, is part of the National Employment Standards (NES) under the Fair Work Act 2009.
All employees in Australia are entitled to:
- 2 days of compassionate leave per occasion
- This applies to the death or life-threatening illness/injury of a close family member
- The leave can be paid for permanent employees and unpaid for casual workers
Employees can take the leave:
- As 2 consecutive days
- As 2 separate days
- Or as agreed with their employer
Who Qualifies as a “Close Family Member”?
For the purposes of compassionate leave, a close family member includes:
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Child or step-child
- Parent or step-parent
- Sibling or step-sibling
- Grandparent or grandchild
- In-laws or other immediate relatives
- Any person living in the employee’s household
Some employers may extend benefits to cover extended family, depending on the company policy or cultural needs.
What Documents May Be Required?
Your employer may ask for evidence of the death, such as:
- A death certificate
- Funeral notice
- Statutory declaration
These requirements are designed to confirm the event, not to delay your access to leave or support.
Do Employers Offer Financial Help With Funerals?
While not common, some organisations do offer:
- Hardship or discretionary funeral payments
- Employee death benefit funds (especially for union members or large organisations)
- Group life insurance payouts (for employees who pass away)
- Access to funeral planning services through EAPs or wellbeing programs
Ask your HR or People & Culture team whether your employer offers any of these.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Most medium to large companies offer access to a confidential EAP, which includes:
- Grief and loss counselling
- Mental health support
- Short-term therapy for trauma or shock
- Advice on managing work-life responsibilities after bereavement
These services are free to employees and their immediate families.
Union & Industry Fund Support
If you’re part of a union or industry fund, additional funeral benefits may be available:
- Some unions (e.g. CFMEU, TWU, AMWU) offer funeral assistance payments
- Industry superannuation funds may include life insurance or death cover
- Members of mutual aid societies or cultural groups may also qualify for benefits
Check with your representative or fund administrator to confirm eligibility.
How eziFunerals Can Support You
Whether you’re grieving a loss or planning ahead for peace of mind, eziFunerals helps you:
- Compare funeral directors and get quotes
- Understand funeral costs and payment options
- Access tools for documenting wishes and planning ahead
- Support colleagues or staff members during bereavement
We are Australia’s leading independent funeral planning platform — free to use, nationwide, and always compassionate.
What to Do If a Co-Worker Passes Away
If a colleague dies, employers may consider:
- Allowing staff to attend the funeral
- Holding a workplace memorial or moment of silence
- Offering extra support to close co-workers
- Communicating arrangements respectfully and sensitively
- Referring employees to the EAP for counselling
How can my employer work with eziFunerals?
If you are a corporate benefits manager or life insurance company and would like to learn more about EziFunerals an employee or policy benefit, please complete the fields below to register your interest.
How do I know if my employer offers eziFunerals as a benefit?
eziFunerals is offered as a value-added benefit through a network of employers and insurance companies. Ask your HR Department or company Benefits Administrator if you are eligible for eziFunerals Planning and Advisory Services.
Need Help Now?
If you’re organising a funeral while managing work responsibilities, eziFunerals can help lighten the load.
- Request a Funeral Quote
- Or call 1300 236 402 for personal support
eziFunerals — Making funeral planning easier for Australian families and workplaces.