My employer will not give me time off for a bereavement

Yes, you have a statutory entitlement. Under the Holidays Act 2003, an employee who has worked for the employer for six months, or is expected to do so, is entitled to bereavement leave. The entitlement is three days for the death of a spouse or partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild or a spouse or partner's parent, and one day for the death of others if the employer accepts that you have suffered a bereavement, for example, someone close to you. Bereavement leave is paid at your relevant daily pay, and it is separate from your sick leave and annual leave. You should notify the employer as soon as practicable, but you cannot be forced to take unpaid leave for the statutory days. Some employment agreements offer more generous terms.