The bereavement fare and rules are the same, except that the ticket may be bought seven days ahead.

Some United States airlines offer what is called bereavement fares; the majority do not.

"We have a bereavement fare in the computer," said Susan Young, a spokeswoman.

To calculate bereavement fares, most airlines knock 50 percent off the cost of a regular, full coach fare.

In some cases, families may be able to beat the cost of bereavement fares by booking group tickets instead.

The airlines have relatively uniform lists of family members who are eligible for bereavement fares.

Air France offers bereavement fares, but requires that travel begin within three days of booking.

The airline will also refund the difference between the regular and the bereavement fare if one of these is presented after travel.

Updated information on such "bereavement fares" is planned for May in the Travel section.

And bereavement fares are available only to immediate family members.