On 17 June 2021, a bill was passed in the Belgian
Parliament to extend and ease bereavement leave in the event of the
death of a partner or a child. The aim of this law is to allow
sufficient time, in a medical sense, for a natural and normal
grieving process.
Death of a spouse, cohabiting partner or child
From 25 July 2021, bereavement leave will be extended from three
days to ten days in the case of the death of one of the
following:
- spouse of the employee;
- cohabiting partner of the employee;
- child of the employee;
- child of the spouse or cohabitant partner;
- foster child in the context of long-term foster care.
This leave will also be more flexible. Currently, the three days
must be taken in the period starting on the day of the decease and
ending on the day of the funeral. In future, the three days will
have to be taken between the day of the decease and the day of the
funeral, and the remaining seven days in the year following the day
of the
