German labor law regarding funeral leave

Under Paragraph 616 of the German Civil Code (BGB), employees are generally entitled to paid leave to attend the funeral of a close relative. This provision applies when an employee is prevented from working for a short period due to personal reasons beyond their control.

However, legal expert Alexander Bredereck notes that many modern employment contracts explicitly exclude Paragraph 616. In such cases, employers may legally withhold pay for the day an employee attends a funeral. While wage deductions might be permitted under these contracts, Bredereck suggests that a formal warning or termination resulting from attending a funeral would likely be invalid.

Close relatives typically include spouses, registered partners, parents, children, and siblings. The status of grandparents or parents-in-law can vary depending on specific contract definitions. Employees are advised to review their employment or collective bargaining agreements and communicate funeral dates to employers as early as possible.