Proof of family death

[Coo5]

I'm feeling miffed, but appreciate as a family our emotions are off kilter. My mil died recently, and all three of my children are at primary school. She did not live locally and to attend her funeral means my girls needing two days off school. I requested this through the normal channels, and today I received a hastily scribbled reply from the headmaster stating "if proof cam be obtained - if not it'll be unauthorised". After going back and forth with the office staff, I asked to speak with him in person. He confirmed that I did indeed need to provide a copy of her death certificate. I honestly think I was too shocked to process the insensitivity shown. On reflection I can see why it might be necessary, but it should have been handled better. Am I right to be put out? Does anyone know whether legally he can request this personal information?

List = liar

When FIL died I just told school the DC would be off. They didn't ask for proof but I would have told them that of all the things that needed to be done when a parent dies, providing school with a death certificate to prove one child didn't have an unauthorised absence for one day is way way down on the priority list.

This is bad form on the HT's part but I'm afraid people can and do lie about such things.
I had a parent last year who took her dd out of class for a week to spend time with a dying grandmother. Turned out they went on holiday abroad (without the grandmother, clearly). As the teacher at the time, I was particularly pissed off, as I had touched base and sympathised with the mum as my own mother was also dying. Felt really foolish afterwards.

Whilst I think it was badly and insensitively handled, sadly I can see why the request was made. People do lie about this sort of thing. Disgusting of them, but there are unfortunately such arseholes around.

We twice had a grandparent die while my children were going through school, once at primary school and once at secondary school. We took the DDs out of school for a day or two each time and the absence was authorised without question. No copies of death certificates requested, thankfully. Or was that just luck that the headteachers knew us and used common sense and sensitivity?

I wouldn't respond to arsehole requests. Just ignore.