Yeah, this is a very useful thread. Since many of us have friends and family who view us as the "travel experts," it is quite possible that we'll someday have to confront this problem.
I particularly appreciate BuddyPass's inside perspective. I do recall reading an article (in the NYTimes perhaps?) a year or two ago about the "big business" in shipping remains. The biggest market was reportedly Florida to NY, due to retirees coming home to be buried. I do recall that there was a "frequent dier" program by the airlines for funeral directors to steer business to them. Of dubious ethical value, but it's apparently out there (not sure if it's limited to Florida-New York). If I were a funeral director, I'm sure I'd know about it, but I'm not sure it would impact by choice of airline to use.