Grief doesn't respect operational schedules. The first hours after a death require attention to family, not the inbox. Here's the practical guide to taking real bereavement leave when there's nobody to grant it to you.
First 72 hours: nothing work-related except emergency. Days 4-7: covering person handles everything; you handle funeral logistics. Week 2-3: gradual re-entry with reduced load. Many solo founders need 3-4 weeks total before functioning at full capacity. Don't pretend otherwise — clients respect grief; the work survives the absence.
Funeral logistics, family coordination, immediate practical decisions — these consume the first three days. Work-related anything that isn't a literal emergency waits.
Send a single short email to your covering person: 'There's been a death in my immediate family. I'm offline for at least the next 7 days. Please handle everything per our continuity plan. I'll be back in touch when I'm able.'
Set the auto-reply: 'I'm out of office due to a family bereavement and will respond when I return. For urgent matters, please contact [covering person] at [email].'
Funeral and immediate aftermath. Covering person continues handling everything. You may want to check in once daily for 5 minutes — that's fine, but no decisions, no replies.
Active client matters with deadlines: covering person extends or hands off. Most clients will accommodate gracefully if told once.
Re-entry from grief is non-linear. Some days you can focus; some you can't. The cleanest pattern: structured half-days, with the covering person handling the other half, for 2-3 weeks.
Don't sign new contracts, don't make major decisions, don't fire anyone, don't hire anyone for the first month back. Decision-making is impaired in early grief and you'll regret hasty calls later.
Most clients will be supportive. Tell them in writing, briefly: 'I'm out of office due to a family bereavement and will be back at full capacity around [date]. [Covering person] is handling urgent matters in the interim with my full authority.'
Avoid details. Avoid apologizing. Avoid promising rapid return. Plain, dignified, brief.
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