To email a professor about a family emergency, send a short message as soon as you can that says you have a family emergency, which class sessions or deadlines it affects, and what you are asking for (an excused absence, an extension or a make-up). You do not have to share private details. A clear subject line such as “Family Emergency – Absence from Biology on Tuesday” and one or two sentences of explanation are enough.
Here is a template you can copy, three sample emails for different situations, and what to do next if you will be away for longer than a few days.
Family Emergency Email Template
Subject: Family Emergency – [Course Code] Absence on [Date]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
I am writing to let you know that I have a family emergency and will not be able to attend [course name] on [date(s)]. [Optional: one sentence of context, e.g. “A close family member is in the hospital and I need to travel home.”]
I will review the lecture materials and complete anything I miss. Could you let me know whether I can [make up the quiz / submit the assignment by a later date / get notes from the session]? I am happy to provide documentation if the course requires it.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Student ID]
[Course and Section]
What to Include (and What to Leave Out)
- The dates. Say exactly which classes, labs or deadlines you will miss. If you do not know yet, say so and promise to update them.
- Your request. Professors respond faster when they know what you need: an excused absence, an extension or a make-up exam.
- Your course details. Include the course code, section and your student ID so the professor can find you quickly in a large class.
- A brief reason, not a full story. “Family emergency” is a complete explanation. Share more only if you are comfortable.
- Leave out long apologies, medical details about relatives and anything you would not want forwarded to a dean of students office.
Sample Emails
1. Short notice: missing class today
Subject: Family Emergency – Missing History Lecture Today
Dear Professor Lee,
I have a family emergency this morning and will not be able to attend today’s class. I will catch up on the reading and get notes from a classmate. Please let me know if there is anything I should submit to make up for today’s participation.
Thank you,
Jordan Smith, Section 02
2. Missing an exam or a major deadline
Subject: Family Emergency – Request to Reschedule Psychology Midterm
Dear Dr. Patel,
I am dealing with a family emergency and need to travel home tomorrow, which means I will miss the midterm on Thursday. I would like to ask whether I can take a make-up exam when I return. I can provide documentation if needed and will contact you as soon as I know my return date.
Sincerely,
Alex Rivera, Student ID [number]
3. Away for an uncertain length of time
Subject: Family Emergency – Absence from English Composition This Week
Dear Professor Brown,
Because of a family emergency I will be away from campus for at least the rest of this week, and I am not yet sure when I will return. I have also contacted the Dean of Students office. I will email you again by Monday with an update and a plan to catch up on the essay due on Friday.
Thank you for your patience,
Sam Taylor
If You Will Miss More Than a Few Days
For a longer absence, contact your college’s Dean of Students (or Student Affairs) office as well as your professors. Many colleges have staff who can notify all of your instructors at once, help with paperwork and explain options such as an incomplete grade or a late withdrawal if the emergency affects the whole term. Check your syllabus and student handbook for the attendance and make-up policy, because the rules differ between schools and between courses.
After You Send the Email
- Check your inbox. Reply promptly if the professor asks for documentation or offers a make-up date.
- Follow up once. If you hear nothing within a couple of school days, send a polite follow-up or go to office hours.
- Thank them. When you are back, a one-line thank-you note keeps the relationship good for the rest of the term.
Writing to a professor for another reason? Use our templates for an absence email, a sick email, a death in the family, or emails about doctor appointment, surgery and jury duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell my professor what the family emergency is?
No. “Family emergency” is usually enough. Some courses ask for documentation for an excused absence; in that case the Dean of Students office can often verify it without you sharing details with every professor.
Should I email before or after I miss class?
Before, if at all possible, even if it is only an hour ahead. If the emergency happens suddenly, email as soon as you reasonably can afterward.
What if my professor does not reply?
Send one follow-up after a couple of school days, then speak to them after class or in office hours. You can also ask your academic advisor for help.