Bereavement | Why funeral planning support belongs in the workplace

Grief doesn’t clock off when a bereaved employee clocks in. When a person loses a loved one, they’re not only wrestling with emotional devastation, they’re also plunged into a world of complex admin, unexpected costs, and often, family conflict. At a time when focus and stability are already compromised, managing the practical side of death can be overwhelming.

And as research from MetLife UK shows, nearly one in three bereaved individuals haven’t even heard of a funeral planning service, let alone accessed one. With stress, indecision, and arguments frequently compounding the pain of loss, it’s increasingly clear that employers have a role to play not just in offering time off to grieve, but in helping staff manage the many unseen pressures of bereavement.

The hidden burden of funeral planning

MetLife’s latest research uncovers just how unprepared many people feel when dealing with a loved one’s passing. Less than half (46%) said they were prepared to organise funeral and memorial arrangements, and only 36% felt equipped to deal with the deceased’s financial affairs. Just 29% knew what financial logins or passwords were needed.

This lack of preparedness leads to a wide range of emotional and logistical issues.