Summarize the following:
You are likely to get many questions about your deceased loved one, so make sure that the story is believable. Get your facts straightened out, stay focused, and think about how you're going to speak about the death. Telling your boss that your close relative or spouse has died could lead to problems if the person texts your or shows up at your job! By choosing a distant relative you barely know, there's little chance for a slip up. Choose a great-grandmother instead of your mother, or your cousin instead of your sister. Whether you send an email, call in or talk to your boss face to face, there will be a different set of clues that tell them you're lying. Your voice, facial expression or demeanor could all be tips that the story is fake. Because they'll only have your voice as a clue to whether you're lying, rather than your eye contact or facial expressions, this may be the best option. Say: "I've had a death in the family and you will need some time off." Answer any questions your boss may have and keep it short. Stay consistent with the story you made up. Try to sound sad, and if you want, sniff and cough often to make it sound as though you've been crying. It may help story come across as more sincere and it might fit with your story better if the fake death happens during work. It's morally questionable to lie to your boss, especially to their face, but if you stay relaxed you can avoid being caught. Tell your boss about the situation, and ask for time off. Maintain eye contact with your boss, and think about how they may perceive your body language. Steady eye contact and relaxed, but slouched posture will help your boss think that you're both telling the truth and genuinely sad. Make yourself cry if you think it is appropriate. Think of a truly sad thought or stare at a bright light until your eyes begin to water before you meet with your supervisor. If you send an email, there'll be practically no way for your boss to know if you're lying or not. Emailing isn't an acceptable method for skipping work at many companies, but if it's alright, write a short, succinct email about the death and that you need a few days off. Many employers will be more than happy to let you take time off for a death, but others may be more skeptical. If they ask for proof, be prepared to back it up with some falsified evidence, but be very careful as you'll only make the lie more offensive if you're caught. Find an obituary in a local paper that matches the story you told. You'll be moving even further in a morally wrong direction, but if an obituary seems close enough, you can turn that in to your boss as is. It's also possible to photoshop an obituary by taking the existing text and adding the right name in the same font. For a really gutsy move, fake a death certificate. Death certificates are available online, and need only to have their information changed in Photoshop or Paint. Be aware that this could lead to serious repercussions if you're caught, and could be illegal depending on where you live! Once your boss is satisfied with the information you've given, work with them to determine which days you'll take off, including a day for the funeral.
Plan your story before speaking with anyone. Consider choosing a distant relative. Decide how to tell the story. Call in to work. Tell your boss in person. Write an email. Be prepared to show proof. Schedule your day off!