Dear Alex, So sorry to hear of your loss -- and your financial dilemma with the funeral. Burke's suggestions are good ones. Northwest Airlines moved heaven and earth to get me back to Michigan from Montana, where I was on a business trip, for my Mom's funeral three years ago. I had gotten to Montana on an economy roundtrip ticket from Washington, DC. They charged me nothing extra to fly to Michigan, and ended up offering $1,000 in travel vouchers so that they could get a volunteer to give up a seat out of Bozeman. When it came time to book a one-way flight back to D.C. from Michigan, they charged me a bereavement fare of only $200 (a fraction of the usual 1-way cost).

If going there doesn't work, you and your stepkids might want to consider setting aside a special "memorial" time as a family at home -- maybe at the same time as the real funeral. Talk about the person you've lost, share memories, sing a song, look at family pictures. And know that you're in the thoughts and prayers of lots of friends and virtual "family" here on the Mudcat.

Wishing you strength and love to get through this tough time. Kathy