Employee research was carried out by Opinium from 7 to 10 January 2025 among 1,250 employed adults aged 18 or over, and the findings highlight a significant gap in confidence among workers about the support available to their dependants, despite the role employers can play in offering financial, practical and emotional help.
The research also shows that only 23% of employees think their employer would provide mental health support such as bereavement counselling for their family, and 21% believe they could rely on their employer for practical help, including assistance with probate or funeral planning.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “Employers have a clear duty to step up and support the families of their employees in the tragic event of a death. However, our research reveals a troubling reality: many employees lack confidence that their employer would provide such support. That lack of trust should give every responsible business pause for thought.”
The findings suggest that without group life assurance, support for bereaved families is often inconsistent and dependent on employer goodwill rather than a clear framework. Employers that put group life assurance in place are better equipped to offer reliable and sustainable support that is not affected by budget constraints or ad hoc decision making. This helps ensure families are treated fairly when a death occurs.
Group life assurance also provides more than a financial payment. It can include mental health support through helplines and counselling for partners, dependent children and those living in the same household. Practical help is often available too, including assistance with organising funerals, finding local services and managing administrative tasks. Many policies also offer initial guidance on probate, legal matters, tax, debt management and benefit entitlements. Wellbeing resources may be provided as well, such as written information on coping with grief, signposting to further support and tools to help maintain overall wellbeing.
At present, more than 11.4 million UK employees are covered by group life assurance. With a workforce of 34.2 million, nearly 23 million people remain without employer-sponsored financial protection. GRiD warns that this leaves many families uncertain about what support would be available, while employers may struggle to respond consistently at a time when structure and clarity are most needed.
Katharine Moxham added: “The additional support available through group life assurance, beyond a simple lump sum or ongoing payment, is a pragmatic way to ensure employees’ families are cared for. As we mark National Grief Awareness Week, which shines a light on where people can turn for bereavement support, it’s vital that employers are seen as one of the first and most trusted sources of that help.”
