Q: It can be very expensive for relatives and friends to travel with only short notice when a death occurs. What are bereavement fares? Can the body be held more than two or three days or until reasonable airfares can be obtained?

A: In today's society, where family members often live far apart, travel arrangements to attend a funeral without any advance notice can be costly. In times of emergency, such as serious illness or for a funeral, shopping around with airlines is the last thing anyone wants to do.

Many airlines, and some other common carriers like bus companies and trains, have anticipated these situations and try to ease the scheduling of travel and the financial burden with "bereavement fares" or "compassionate fares."

Bereavement fares are special fares that airlines offer to relatives of the deceased. They can be discounted 50 percent or more. Because the discount is generally off the full fare price of a ticket, bereavement fares may not always the lowest fare. To maximize savings on a bereavement fare basis, here are some suggestions:

+Before setting a firm date and time of the funeral, check with family members who will be flying in as to their schedules. +Inform the funeral director and clergyperson that people from out-of-town are coming in. The ceremonies may need to be postponed for a few days to allow family members time to arrive. The funeral director is capable and equipped to hold the body for several days to meet everyone's schedule. +Understand that you have time and need not rush into making final plans until out-of-town people can arrange their travel. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated. +When dealing with the airline, ask them if a seat sale is available and applicable to the emergency situation and your travel plans. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to obtain a lower airfare, especially at the last minute.

To obtain the bereavement fare, most airlines require the following information: +The name of the deceased and date of death +Your name and relationship to the deceased +The name, address and telephone number of the funeral home +A letter from the funeral home on their business letterhead attesting to the death, and confirmation of your attendance

Funeral homes are accustomed to working with airlines and other common carriers in short-notice situations and can assist you with travel arrangements. While lowest fares may not always be available at the last minute, the funeral home can often influence the airline to provide you with a seat even when the flight is sold out.

You also have time when it comes to the body of the deceased. Within reason, there is no timetable as to when the body must be buried or cremated. Your funeral director understands the complexities surrounding a death and is skilled in providing respectful care to the deceased while plans are made. He/she will explain the options available, including embalming and/ or controlled temperature storage.

For those who cannot afford airfare or transportation, help may be available from charitable organizations such as National Patient Transport (www.npath.org) and the Patient Travel Organization (www.PatientTravel.org).

Kubasak is a licensed funeral director. He lectures throughout the country and is a consultant to funeral-cremation and cemetery businesses. He can be reached by calling (702) 345-3212 or via email at: Mike@kubasak.com.