Death in Service

I. SCOPE

The policies contained herein apply to Human Resources, all Heads of Departments and Activities, University Police, the Office of Strategic Communications, University Controller, and all employees with respect to notification of the death of an employee or an employee’s spouse. The provisions are applicable to responsible parties at all campuses of George Mason University.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

The University is concerned about the health and well-being of its employees and recognizes that expressions of sympathy are a means of reinforcing this concern. These expressions also provide an opportunity for the bereaved employee or family to be made aware of the assistance that the University community can provide.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees should advise their spouse or next of kin to notify the University in case of death. The death should be reported to the Department or Activity Head or designee, who will immediately inform Human Resources so that life insurance and retirement benefits can be initiated. Human Resources also will:

  • Advise the Accounts Payable Manager to send a charitable donation, if requested by the family; and
  • Provide other assistance as necessary or requested.

IV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL

This policy is effective December 1, 2003. This policy shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually to become effective at the beginning of the University’s fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.

Approved:

__/S_____________________
Lester Arnold
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Payroll

__/S_____________________
Mark R. Ginsburg
Provost and Executive Vice President

Date approved: December 17, 2003
Revised: February 11, 2013
Revised: November 3, 2014
Revised: November 18, 2014
Revised: January 31, 2021