Travelling can be stressful, even at the best of times. But travelling due to the death or imminent death of a beloved family member comes with its own struggles. On top of the emotional toll of illness or death, events like funerals often can’t be anticipated far in advance, so travellers are left to book last-minute flights and accommodations. Travelling with a loved one’s remains can be equally difficult, with its own unique set of rules to follow. If you have to travel for either reason, we’ve broken down bereavement fares with Canadian airlines and what you need to know if you’ll be travelling with cremated remains.
What are bereavement fares?
Bereavement fares are reduced fares for grieving passengers who need to travel last-minute. They’re intended to help make travellers’ journeys as straightforward as possible in unfortunate times.
How to book bereavement fares with Air Canada
Air Canada offers bereavement fares if you need to travel due to the imminent death or death of an immediate family member: spouse, child, parent, sibling or legal guardian and spouse of legal guardian. You must travel within 10 days of booking, and must return within 60 days. To book with Air Canada, there are two options:
- Call toll-free 1-888-247-2262 day or night. Be prepared to provide proof of passing or imminent death with:
- Your family member’s name and your relationship to them
- The name of the attending physician and hospital/residence phone number and address of the hospital or
- Contact info for the funeral home and the date of funeral
- Go to the airport and book at an Air Canada ticket counter. You’ll need to provide all of the same information as above, in addition to a copy of the death certificate, a statement from the funeral director or coroner, or a letter form the treating physician on official letterhead and/or a prescription pad which describes the situation.
Note: Flights are available on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express for any economy class fare, except North American base fare, and doesn’t apply to flights operated by other airlines.
How to book bereavement fares with WestJet
WestJet offers bereavement fares to people who’ve had a death in their family or are experiencing an imminent death. Family includes: spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, legal guardian and spouse of legal guardian or executor. Plus, they also offer civic funeral fares: reduced fares for travellers going to a funeral for firefighters, police officers, military personnel, or emergency service providers who’ve died in the line of duty.
To book with WestJet, call 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET). Currently, call wait times are high, so they recommend scheduling a call back. WestJet requires travel (outbound and return) to be done within 14 days of the flight booking. They’ll also ask for general information about the bereavement at the time of booking, and may follow up if more details are needed. WestJet’s fares offer flexibility without fees on their Econo, EconoFlex and Premium fares. Travel through partner airlines isn’t available for bereavement fares.
How to book bereavement fares with low-cost Canadian airline carriers
Unfortunately, according to Flair Air, Porter and Swoop, these airlines don’t offer discounted fares for bereavement because they offer competitive market prices. However, it may still be worth exploring these options for low-cost alternatives.
How to travel with cremated remains
While most bereavement fares are requested to attend a memorial or funeral, it is possible that cremated remains may also need to be brought onboard enroute to a final resting place. If this is the case, you’ll need to ensure certain standards are met, governed by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). CATSA specifies how to fly with remains, including what materials are best for a travel urn since the cremation container must pass x-ray and security scanning. Some airlines don’t allow cremated remains in checked luggage, so you’ll need to check with the airline first. Air Canada allows carrying on remains but also offers Dignified and Caring Assistance. WestJet allows cremated remains in carry-on luggage as well as checked baggage and cargo shipping.
How travel insurance responds to death while you’re on vacation
Let’s face it—no one wants to talk about passing away. But in the event this happens to you while on vacation, your travel insurance should have benefits in place to assist in the return home.
TuGo’s “Repatriation” benefit, in our Traveller policy states we “will pay up to $6,000 for the preparation and return of your body, including the cost of a standard shipping container and one death certificate (excluding the cost of funeral and related expenses or a burial coffin), to your province/territory of residence.”
Our international assistance services can help with arrangements and coordination of repatriation remains. Additional benefits in the policy may also cover the return of your travelling companion and dependent children travelling with you back to their original departure point. It’s a really difficult matter to think about, but knowing you have travel insurance to support you and your loved ones may help alleviate some concern, especially at a vulnerable time.
Note: Keep in mind that this benefit is subject to the policy’s terms and conditions; for example, if you have an unstable pre-existing condition and pass away on your trip, if the reason for death is related to the unstable pre-existing condition, benefits wouldn’t be provided for repatriation.
In closing, the bereavement of a loved one is never an easy thing to experience. Hopefully, in your time of need, this information gives you a quick reference to pull from, to find the right bereavement fare for your travel needs or instructions for travelling with remains. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know in the comments section below or by emailing blog@tugo.com.
Take care,
Melissa
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
