When your parent died, how soon did you go back to work?

[PersephoneParlormaid]

I’ve recently had to go sick from work to nurse my DF in his last weeks of life, and it’s been traumatic. Still got funeral etc to organise.
Part of me wants to get back to normal, but part of me doesn’t want to go back too soon and potentially end up off again. How long were you off?

I do agree but I also saw a collegue sliding into depression after loosing her mum.

But for me it was more the practicalities which took over my life. Paperwork, clearing a rented flat where she lived for 5 years and had soooo much stuff (I envied the friends who are go through a house content with no time pressure at all). Luckily I got another week compassionate leave when I asked HR about unpaid time off.

Sorry for the loss.
I was at secondary school when my dad passed away, I didn't take time off other than for the funeral - he was ill, and we knew it was coming, so I'd spent as much time with him as I could beforehand. It worked for me. Different people do different things, there's no right or wrong. That said, most contracts will have bereavement terms written in to them, surely?

Dad 5 days compassionate leave, 1 week self cert sick leave. My parents lived on Spain at the time, so everyone appreciated I needed to stay for a bit to be with Mum.
I'm NHS and people often take weeks, even months of sick leave.

I’m sorry you are going through this OP. My darling mum passed in early May. I had already been off for nearly four weeks on compassionate leave while she was in hospital then hospice. I took another four weeks off- two compassionate and two sick - before returning to work. I had to do a lot of the funeral and admin and there’s no way I could have returned to my job where I have to be very on it all the time plus a lot of meetings and talking to people. After one week at work, I’m now home sick with covid. I think I went back too early and my body is telling me I need more time.
Only you will know what you need. Take care.

My post has no judgement BTW. You should be able to take as long as you need. My Dad and and I weren't close. When DM goes it will be a different story.
I took 8 weeks when DH had a heart attack 2.5 years ago

I too only got 3 days of bereavement leave (which includes the day he died as I got the call unexpectedly at 9am)

I had to use holiday for the day of his funeral

It was far too soon to return IMO. My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly and I dealt (badly) with the grief and akin to ptsd for a very very long time after. I wish I'd had more time but I simply had no choice

I think that’s why a lot of people get signed off sick by their doctor, they simply aren’t able to cope with work.