Sadly, I've had experience with this several times with AA. It's worth checking on both. I've had bereavement fares be lower and fares bought online as if I were a regular customer be lower than bereavement fares.

Here's the good thing about the walk up and bereavement fares. You can usually change them with no penalty.

I had a family emergency two years ago. The emergency surgery got moved up so when i called AA to see if I could move from a noonish flight to the first flight out they changed me at no cost to me. The agent was compassionate and understanding during my hour of grief/need. And that's one of the many reasons I fly AA. I'm sorry about your ordeal. Best wishes.