Bereavement Assistance?

[doodadem]

Does anyone know if there is financial assistance out there, some organization, for plane fare to make it to a funeral of an immediate family member (other than the piddly airline discount)?

My father passed away suddenly this morning. I'm in Calif., 2,000 miles away. My husband just started a new job this past week, hasn't even gotten his first paycheck, after being laid off for a year and a half. My business is abysmal in this economy. We have no reserves left.

American Airlines still wants $600 round trip, even with a discount.

I can't believe we've come to this. My father was a WWII veteran...don't know if that might help.

[virgogal]

1. Can family members help? What a tough position to be in.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

3. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Looks like some airlines have "bereavement fares," but there are certain requirements.

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/bereavement/index.jsp

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/compassion/default.aspx

[handmade34]

2. I'm checking to see if I have any airline miles ???

where do you have to fly to?

[uppityperson]

4. I don't but will k& r for you with condolences. Is Amtrack a possibility?

not sure if they have bereavement.

[JohnnyLib2]

5. I'm sorry for the loss. A call to the local American Legion might help.

The active members often have a way of getting things done, regardless of hassles involved. Best wishes.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Call other airlines. Know that you will need to provide a death certificate.

I didn't want you to be surprised - it seems rather cold, but necessary due to fraud.

I am terribly sorry for your loss. :hug

[uppityperson]

8. I had to give name/phone # of hosp my parent was dying at

they didn't need the death cert. Perhaps just calling a mortuary might do it

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. I actually cancelled a flight due to a death in the family

Opposite issue. They required a certificate to waive the penalties and told me at the time that they require one for discounted flights. That was a few years back, and given the timing, may no longer be the case.

Better forewarned though. It can seem a very callous request at such a time.

[uppityperson]

10. It was yrs since I had to do this. Best to be forewarned.

[barbtries]

13. by the time she could provide a death certificate

the funeral would be long since over. there must be a different way to prove the loss.

[Ruby the Liberal]

15. The undertaker/coroner can send a fax.

It is a horrifying position to be in. :(

[noiretextatique]

7. if need be, we can do a fundraiser here

we've done it before.

[Hepburn]

11. Good idea....

...get an OK from Skinner for the donation thread and let's get the DUer to her Dad's services.

:hug:

[barbtries]

12. i'm so sorry to hear about your situation

i'm afraid i don't know of any organization that can help you. but you have my best wishes for a speedy resolution.

[supernova]

14. A K A "Compassionate Fares"

This might be useful:

http://dying.lovetoknow.com/Bereavement_Airfares

[bigbrother05]

16. -

Red cross

[LibDemAlways]

17. I am so sorry to hear this.

If you explain your situation in a PM to Skinner, perhaps he would allow DUers to raise the $$ you need to get to the funeral. I'm a former travel agent and am well aware that "Bereavement" fares are still pretty high.

[doodadem]

18. You guys are the best.......

Thanks so much.

This was a shock, as we had just moved my dad and my mom into the assisted living place a little over a month ago. Last week, he started complaining of abdominal pain, so they took him next door to the hospital. The tests showed a bladder infection, and blood infection......and stomach cancer. They did TWO colonoscopy's on him, and wouldn't you know--yesterday he comes up with a perforated intestine. They did the same damn thing to my mom a few years ago, and she ended up losing a third of her intestine.

The only good that may come out of all this, is that I was able to finally track down my older brother's two sons, and they have said they will be there. They fell off the face of the earth 20 years ago when my brother died, and we have not been able to get hold of them since. Ironic that they may be there, and I'm not.

Since we've been in Calif., 8 years now, I've also lost both my sisters to Type 1 diabetes complications. I've had about as much death of loved ones as I can take.

I'll check with the suggestions here. The funeral is Friday. I would need to fly from Fresno to Louisville. American has always been the best way to go, with just one layover in Dallas.

Will keep you posted.

[Roland99]

29. Ah, dang it. Allegiant from Fresno to Vegas is too much given the short notice

could have then done Southwest to Louisville or Airtran to Indy (2hrs north)

[JohnnyLib2]

19. check for a pm re: Southwest airlines

:hug:

[CraftyGal]

20. kicking it

:kick:

[doodadem]

21. Here's where I am........

Thanks to all of you for your kindness. It sort of restores my faith in humanity.

I spent the day on the phone, talking to Veterans Affairs, VFW, American Legion, Red Cross, United Way, on and on. I finally ended up talking to a guy I've dealt with before in Senator Boxer's local office. He thought he might be able to help with the airfare, and maybe the rest of the funeral expenses we're short on.

I probably pinned too much hope on that, because I didn't find out he was getting nowhere till late this afternoon.

So I'm right back where I started. The funeral is Friday morning. I would need to hit a flight tomor. to Louisville to make it across 3 time zones.

I kept thinking today--if this is the kind of brick wall that veterans hit all the time, no wonder they're all suicidal. My brother talked to the VA earlier. All they will do is a flag ceremony at graveside, and a little bronze marker for the foot of the grave.

A few people have PM'd me, and I did go ahead and set up a Paypal account. I know its really late........

[The Straight Story]

22. kick (nt)

[mogster]

23. I'm sorry for your loss

:kick:

[Lochloosa]

24. Call your local congressman. Tell them he was a WWII Vet.

This is what their for. Good luck.

[NewJeffCT]

25. that's a good idea

Congressmen & Congresswomen are often very responsive to local needs.

[demmiblue]

26. Kick

[mcar]

27. VFW, Legion, County social services, local hospice

The veterans groups might help, the social services folks might be able to direct you to charitable groups and some hospice organizations have funds available for such things.

Good luck. So sorry for your loss.

[Roland99]

28. Have you considered flying into CVG instead of SDF? It's 90 min. away

Might be able to get cheaper airfare there (doubtful...I've usually found it cheaper flying in/out of Louisville instead of Cincy (which is actually in northern Ky)


Orbitz has United Airlines out of LAX to SDF early Sat. morning for just over $400 w/taxes and fees. But, not sure how close to LAX you are.