Bereavement Leave in Washington
Yes, bereavement leave is required in Washington
Washington does not have a single standalone bereavement statute, but provides bereavement-related protections through multiple laws and programs. Effective July 1, 2026, Senate Bill 5217 significantly expands bereavement leave under the Paid Family and Medical Leave program to 7 paid days, usable within 12 months of a qualifying family member's death. Employees may also use accrued paid sick leave and employer-provided PTO for bereavement purposes.
Key details
| Days allowed | Up to 7 days |
|---|---|
| Paid leave required? | Yes — As of July 1, 2026, Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program provides up to 7 paid bereavement days, usable within 12 months of a qualifying family member's death. Prior to this expansion, limited bereavement protections existed through PFML and employer policies. |
| Qualifying relationships | family members and household members as defined by applicable PFML provisions |
| Consecutive days required? | No — Leave can be used within 12 months of the qualifying family member's death. |
| Effective date | July 1, 2026 |
| Statute | RCW 50A (Paid Family and Medical Leave); SB 5217 (2025, effective July 1, 2026) |
Bereavement leave in Washington: what you need to know
Washington is about to become the most bereavement-friendly state in the country. Effective July 1, 2026, Senate Bill 5217 expands the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program to include up to 7 paid bereavement days, usable within 12 months of a qualifying family member's death. Washington will be the only state requiring paid bereavement leave.
Even before the SB 5217 expansion, Washington workers had strong leave protections. The state's paid sick leave law (Initiative 1433) requires employers to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. This leave can be used for a range of purposes, and grieving employees can use it for bereavement-related absences.
Washington's PFML program is funded through payroll premiums shared between employers and employees. The bereavement expansion means workers will be able to access paid bereavement days without using their paid sick leave or PTO. The benefit amount is calculated based on the state's wage replacement formula, which provides up to 90 percent of wages for lower-earning workers and a lower percentage for higher earners, up to a weekly cap.
Washington's economy is driven by technology (Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing are the state's largest employers), aerospace, agriculture (particularly apples, wine, and hops), healthcare, and military installations (Joint Base Lewis-McChord). Most major Washington employers already offer bereavement leave beyond what state law currently requires, but the new law will extend paid protection to workers at smaller employers and in industries where voluntary benefits are less common.
Washington state employees have leave provisions under the Washington Management Service and collective bargaining agreements. State employees may use sick leave for bereavement and will also benefit from the PFML bereavement expansion starting July 2026.
More Washington workplace laws
Check other workplace law topics for Washington:
Frequently asked questions about bereavement leave in Washington
Washington's paid bereavement leave under SB 5217 takes effect on July 1, 2026. After that date, eligible workers can access up to 7 paid bereavement days through the Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
Yes, through the PFML program. The benefit amount is calculated using the state's wage replacement formula. Lower-earning workers receive up to 90 percent of their wages. Higher earners receive a lower percentage, subject to a weekly cap.
Yes. Washington's paid sick leave law allows employees to use accrued sick leave for a range of purposes. Mental health needs related to grief may qualify. This provides coverage before the PFML bereavement expansion takes effect.
Both Amazon and Microsoft offer bereavement leave as part of their benefits. These company policies typically exceed the minimum state requirements. The new PFML bereavement benefit will primarily help workers at smaller employers who do not currently have company-provided bereavement leave.
Claims will be filed through the Employment Security Department, the same agency that administers the existing PFML program. Specific procedures for bereavement claims will be published before the July 2026 effective date. Check esd.wa.gov for updates.