Oregon has amended its Family Leave Act (OFLA) to allow an eligible employee to take leave to “deal with the death of a family member” by attending the funeral (or alternative service), making arrangements, and grieving the death.  Under the OFLA, a “family member” includes a spouse, parent, child, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, same-gender domestic partner or parent or child of same-gender domestic partner.

An employee may take up to two weeks of OFLA leave for each death of a family member. Leave must be completed within 60 days of the date on which the employee receives notice of the death.  Bereavement leave is counted toward the maximum OFLA leave of 12 weeks per 12 month period.  The bereavement amendment is effective January 1, 2014.