Last-minute flights are expensive and when you have to book quickly to get to a family funeral or rush to a loved one's side during a terminal illness, it can be hard to find an affordable fare. Few airlines still offer bereavement fares and you'll find the discount isn't huge.
Bereavement fares provide travelers with a discounted price or flexibility in travel. For example, you can keep your return flight open for less than you would pay for a similar option on a full-fare ticket. Call the airline you want to fly because you cannot book a bereavement ticket electronically or through an online third party travel agency. Do some comparison shopping. You may find cheaper fares on Southwest or JetBlue, even though those airlines don't offer bereavement fares.
The requirements of your ticket depends on the airline. For example, Delta makes bereavement fares only available to their SkyMiles members and Lufthansa requires an advance purchase of one week. All airlines providing bereavement fares require documentation such as a medical certificate or the name and phone number of a doctor, funeral home or hospice.
