Dignity Memorial®  Bereavement Travel Program

Simplicity of service makes program ideal for families...

Last August, Mary got one of those calls most people spend their entire lives dreading. Her sister in Texas had just died. Still reeling from the news, Mary quickly got another shock. The cost of an airline ticket from her home in Indiana to Texas was close to $1,000 – a travel expense that did not include hotel, car rental and food.

Besides dealing with the pain of losing a close family member, and the stress of coordinating time-sensitive travel, this case illustrates the challenges associated with making last-minute arrangements. But through the Dignity Memorial Bereavement Travel Program, these families received compassionate, helpful service at a time when they needed it most.

The Bereavement Travel Program is an exclusive benefit for families using Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation or cemetery service providers. It is a single resource for all travel needs, including hotel and car rentals, for family members attending the funeral or memorial service of a loved one.

“Our goal is to make sure families have all the travel options to make the best decision for their immediate travel needs,” said Pam Heath, manager of the program.

Last year, 22,000 airline tickets, 8,500 car rental days and 5,000 hotel room nights were purchased through the Bereavement Travel Program. The Travel Desk is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Central Time.

Families are referred to the Travel Desk from the funeral home with the appropriate reference information to allow the Travel Desk to begin its search.

“It’s about peace of mind and knowing that you don’t have to spend valuable time shopping around for the best travel arrangements. Let us do it for you,” said Heath.

A dedicated team of highly trained bereavement travel specialists staffs the program, which can be used by up to four family members to make arrangements to attend the service if a Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation or cemetery provider is chosen.

If a Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation or cemetery plan is selected, the Dignity Memorial Bereavement Travel Program is extended so that all family members and friends may use it to attend the funeral, memorial or graveside service. The extended program also allows return trips for up to one year to settle estate matters and other family business tied to the funeral of the deceased.

The travel specialists advise families on options and competitive rates for airfare, hotel and car rentals, sometimes offering substantial savings. However, because of the last minute nature of the arrangements, discounts are not guaranteed.

Compassion, however, is always available. Travel specialists only handle bereavement calls and are sympathetic to the needs of bereaved travelers.

Many times, convenience is also paramount.  The travel specialists were also able to arrange the airport arrivals of Mary and her three sisters within minutes of each other, book them into a hotel, and reserve a rental car for them.

“Our family really didn’t know what we would have done without the Dignity Memorial network’s help,” wrote Mary in a letter thanking travel specialists for their kindness and their expert assistance.

One of the biggest benefits of the Dignity Memorial Bereavement Travel Program is “knowing that we have done everything in our power” to help family members take part in the funeral or memorial service for their loved ones that they might not have been able to otherwise attend, said Heath.

“Beyond making final preparations for the loved one who has passed on, we are there for the family, to support their travel requests and provide opportunities to share in the celebration of life,” said Heath.