Sorry to hear of your loss.
Unfortunately there is no obligation for employers to give paid time off for funerals unless it's an agreed contractual term which doesn't seem to be the case here.
Seems a bit harsh and could lead to people lying and ringing in sick if sickness absence is paid for.
The employer might argue where do you draw the line- cousin? brother in law? friend?
Surely, they'd let you take it as a holiday though.
I'm not so sure that people would be lying if they rang in sick on or around their mother's funeral. I doubt if I would have been fit for work that day or for a day or so afterwards.
I think most GPs would be very sympathetic and would give a sick note for a short time in such circumstances. After all, you only get one Mum.
No use if there's no sick pay, though.
Disgraceful behaviour by your employer but factor30 is right. Unless it is agreed within the terms and conditons of your contract, there is no obligation to pay you for the time you have had off.
It's a very short-sighted policy your employer operates. Most employers realise that it is in their interests to support their employees through a bereavement as in the long term the employee is healthier and more productive than those who are forced to return to work due to financial pressures, despite not being fit to be at work.
Could you take time off on paid holiday as an alternative?