Those who got signed off sick for bereavement...

[Smallwhitebutterfly]

... did you self certify for 7 days and then got a fit note from your GP? Or did you get a fit note as soon as (any) compassionate leave ended? Were you allowed to specify how long you wanted off or was that set by your GP?

My work allows you a week, then a drs line.
I specified how long I wanted.

I self certified then saw the GP, who signed me off for 2 weeks initially, which was extended 2 weeks at a time by phone. I took 8 weeks off in total then had a phased return.

Dr had referred me for bereavement counselling (6 week wait) but still refused me a sick note after 2 weeks off.

I'm really sorry to hear that @Funinthesun01. What a horribly unsympathetic GP!

I def missed a trick here. When my mum died unexpectedly I had 3 days off, went back to work and then needed another 3 days for the funeral (was 300 miles away). I had to take that as a holiday. Wasn’t able to advocate for myself & they totally took advantage.

I think you can self certificate or ask at the time.

I’m sorry for your loss.

My Dad's GP came out to see my Mum the day my Dad died. He issued my brother & I with lines there & then for a fortnight so we had one less thing to think about. We then went back to our respective GPs after that to get another one

I saw my GP on the Tuesday after my husband died on the Friday. I was unfit for work for two months. After that I had a phased return for a couple of weeks and as I couldn't sustain longer than half time working, I moved onto a part time contract. My boss was kind and would have kept me on a full time contract for longer but I wanted to take the pressure off myself. I went back full time after 4 years.

When my Dad died my current work were bloody brilliant and I had about 5-6 weeks compassionate leave, so didn’t need to get signed off.
But in previous places it all depended on the compassionate leave arrangement (which was usually at the Manager’s discretion)
Once that was up, if people need longer (which, understandably they often do) then yes they got signed off.

I completed an e consult form when I was travelling down to see my family after my mum unexpectedly died.

my gp was great and issued a sick note for 4 weeks. I went back after 4 weeks, but I should have stayed off longer. In my mind I had never had a sick note and 4 weeks seemed reasonable. But never lost a parent before so no experience. I ended up with 2 weeks off a few months later as I wasn’t sleeping

my lesson from that is I should of taken longer to get back to normal. And be honest with his I was feeling. My head was a mess and I just took 4 weeks as a number to aim for

Thanks, everyone. My work has been great so far but I think I will need to get signed off soon so I can take some more time off work. Looking around online it seems most people take up to 2 weeks off. I've been off for 3 so far and can't imagine caring about work in any way for the short term. But I'm the kind of person who needs a lot of time to process. I know others like the distraction of work!

Interestingly she cried when I told her the manner of his death and now today when I read your kindness I think I was in trauma and shock so yes she should have been more understanding that I couldn't miraculously fit back in to a demanding role!
I'm still processing it now, after grief counselling, it's very personal so try to do only what's right for you.
Sorry for your loss 💐