One of my employees died last night

[MadImmortalMan]

He was a fantastic guy. A supremely nice person who had a positive effect on everyone around him. Had a sudden heart attack on the way home from work. He was in his 40s I think. I want to do something for his family. Have any of you seen or heard of something that an employer has done for the survivors of one of their employees that was particularly useful or appreciated?

[Caliga]

That's horrible man.

I've never had this happen, but you may want to ask his family what they would like... but I would wait a little while before asking them.

[Admiral Yi]

College fund for his kids?

[Scipio]

College fund for his kids?

This.

My dad and his partners did this for a guy who ended up dying of pancreatic cancer.  They also paid all of his out-of-pocket medical expenses.

[MadImmortalMan]

He has no kids.

[Grey Fox]

Wife?

[MadImmortalMan]

To elaborate. He lived with just his wife and elderly grandmother who has alzheimers. He'd been taking care of the grandmother on his own for the past couple years. I think he had finally gotten her into a care facility last week and was looking forward to not having that be such a burden. He asked me to start sending him on business travel and such then.

[Admiral Yi]

Donation to Alzheimer's research?

Endow a scholarship fund in his name?

It might help if you told us how much bread you were thinking about spending.

[The Brain]

I'm sorry.

[MadImmortalMan]

Donation to Alzheimer's research?

Endow a scholarship fund in his name?

It might help if you told us how much bread you were thinking about spending.

Honestly, I haven't thought much about any of that. I'm kinda still in shock. How much money? No idea. I don't know what the company will be willing to do yet or if I will want to do something on my own for them. I have not begun anything.

[citizen k]

See what the family's bills are. Payoff big ones for them.

[viper37]

Have any of you seen or heard of something that an employer has done for the survivors of one of their employees that was particularly useful or appreciated?

The equivalent of 3-6 months in wages paid to the survivors in one shot, ideally, or spread over a few months.

Or offer to pay for the funerals, or a part of.  Pay medical bills, if any are standing.

[Habbaku]

Have any of you seen or heard of something that an employer has done for the survivors of one of their employees that was particularly useful or appreciated?

The equivalent of 3-6 months in wages paid to the survivors in one shot, ideally, or spread over a few months.

Or pay offer to pay for the funerals, or a part of.  Pay medical bills, if any are standing.

Ditto on this recommendation.  If feasible, a year's salary would be ideal and certainly more than expected.

[Warspite]

Depending on the money available to the company, I've seen everything from helping the family out with funeral expenses, to a full-blown named scholarship.