When my child missed school to attend the funeral of someone very important in our family, I was deeply disappointed to learn that it was marked as an unexcused absence. I followed the normal process and personally provided the school with a parent note explaining the reason for my child’s absence. At that time, I was told in person that the absence would still be marked unexcused because only a parent, sibling, or biological grandparent qualifies as “immediate family.”

However, the district handbook only states that absences may be excused for “death in the immediate family” and does not clearly define that term.

This raises an important question:

Should a school policy be deciding which losses are significant enough for a child to grieve? This insensitivity to personal loss is not only disheartening but highlights a broader issue within our educational system. It's time to change how schools handle absences due to funerals, accommodating all students who experience such profound losses.

The current approach to absences due to bereavement lacks compassion and fails to acknowledge the diverse family structures and cultural practices around grief. Each loss can significantly impact a child, and denying them the time to grieve with their family adds unnecessary stress during an already challenging period. Schools should be places of understanding and support, yet the existing policies around funeral absences send the wrong message – that not all losses are worthy of compassionate acknowledgment.

According to a study by the National Association of School Psychologists, grief can significantly affect children's academic performance, emotional well-being, and social interactions. If schools continue to penalize students for attending funerals, we risk exacerbating these negative effects on students' development and mental health.

We propose a district wide change in school absence policies to honor all forms of grief equally. By recognizing funeral attendance as a valid and excused absence, we can foster a more supportive and empathetic environment for our children. We recommend that school boards and the Department of Education revise these policies to encompass all legitimate bereavement scenarios, regardless of the familial connection or relationship type.

To make this a reality, we urge policymakers to work collaboratively with educators, psychologists, and families to craft guidelines that respect and honor the needs of grieving students. We have the opportunity to create a more humane educational environment that acknowledges the emotional and cultural significance of funerals, thereby supporting students' mental health and development.

This change is about recognizing the intrinsic value of family, empathy, and understanding in our educational institutions. Join us in advocating for these necessary reforms. Please sign this petition to help change funeral absence rules in schools locally, possibly even nationwide, and ensure no child or parent is penalized for mourning a loved one.