AA's "expedite fee" ($100 for last minute redemption) is despicable, but it's only $100, which is a far sight better than buying full Y fares. And the "expedite fees" are waived for top-tier elites (EXP). AA has always come thru for me when I ask for a last-minute 25k coach award or a last minute 45k first class award.

Counterbalancing the offensiveness of the $100 fee is the extensive availability on AA, unless the funeral is in a popular destination like Hawaii or Orlando.