We may love to go away when it's a planned vacation, but sometimes the circumstances aren't so pleasant and we must go abroad because of the fatal illness or sudden death of a loved one. Given that, it's good to know that an emergency United States passport can be obtained and that there are mechanisms in place to help you do such things as buying plane tickets quickly and easily.
If your loved one lives far enough away that you have to fly, you might be able to get a bereavement fare, also called a compassionate fare. This rate is reserved especially for those traveling in order to attend a family funeral or in the case of imminent death. While these rates may not always be the lowest, they are notably close, and are actually great discounts when compared to other last-minute plane ticket purchases. These fares range from anywhere between 10% and 75%, with the average hitting around 50%.
Such bereavement fares aren't always so simple, though, especially if they're for international flights. With these you may often have to pay the full fare and then apply for a rebate within ninety days. With that application, you must show the death certificate. And, as there are often multiple flights involved in international travel, you must submit the information separately to each.
Since international travel requires a passport, you will need to have one in order to fly out of the country to meet your loved one. If your passport is damaged, missing or no longer valid, you may request a one day pass port renewal in order to make the trip.
The information you will need to provide in order to obtain your bereavement fare needs to be presented either in person or over the phone to the airline. The requirements varies by airline, but there are some major details that are usually always required. These details include the name of your loved one, your relationship, the name, address, and phone number of the hospital or funeral home, date of the service, and the name and phone number of the physician. If your airline only offers discounts after the trip, be sure to also have a copy of the death certificate. This information is simply used to verify your qualification for a bereavement fare.
During a family crisis, you need to be with your loved ones as quickly as possible. If your family lives far away, getting to them speedily will be your primary goal. Just trying to get there, particularly if you are traveling out of the country, can add to your worries. There are some offerings available, however, to ease your way a bit. You can obtain emergency American passports, or get a one day passport renewal in one day during crisis situations. Airlines offer bereavement fares as well as last minute tickets for passengers who are traveling to be with a dying family member. These available services can reduce your stress, at least a little, during particularly difficult times.
Filed under General by Victoria Adam





