You need to be an airline employee,relative,or close friend of one.
90% discount with most airlines in the world. If you have your standby ticket you just hand it to the person,she check seat availability. If seat available they check your documents,ID,etc. they give you ticket to go through security and board.
Cost me $60 to fly first class oneway to Brazil from DFW in December. Free in coach anywhere in the system.
Usually I always have backup tickets when traveling.Could have up to 3 different airlines on one ticket. If I don't have a ticket I would need to go to the nearest AA ticket office to get one which are scattered most of the world even places we don't fly to. I prefer the AA desk at Cathay Pacific office in Hong Kong.
On the AA network you are issued a special priority emergency pass for this.

It appears the OP never came back to see any helpful responses.

Maybe he found a way.

Call the local airlines, and explain the situation with the booking agent. You may not get the best seats on the plane, but you might be able to get a discount.

Often you'll pay full price up-front, but later after you provide the airline a copy of the death certificate (probably in this case you'll need an original & a translated certified copy), you'll get a refund of some amount.

Doubt it can be done.
If you are employed or know someone well who is employed with the airlines it can happen.

Going to be expensive.... TO get a bereavement fare you have to have a death certificate which you do not have.

We have tried to use these fares before - the hoops were impossible.