Originally Posted by
RTW1
You can always gamble... But why you would even think about booking a non-refundable rate when there is a chance you won't be able to make it is beyond me.
The OP may not even need to gamble. Deal with someone directly at the hotel itself to book the same kind of room at the same price with a notation that the non-refundable rate may be cancelled and refunded (if charged) were the relative to suffer a serious health complication or die.