Originally Posted by
GUWonder
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.
Yes, the OP could call the hotel and ask for an exception to the rate rules, but that is essentially begging for special treatment.
I too have benefited from cancellations beyond the deadline and no charge on non-refundable rates for circumstances out of my control, but at the time of the making the reservation I was always pretty close to 100% sure that I would complete the stay. If I thought there was more than a 10% chance that I would have to cancel, I would not select such a rate.