Vox Mentis

You're going to Broken Hill for vacation! You haven't made plans for the return trip because it's going to be a LONG vacation.

Can't be that long if we don't have a visa, can it?

The family explanation still works, however.

Your lack of carry-on luggage, clothes and cash (who even prints their return ticket in advance anymore?) can be explained away by someone having stolen your baggage back in Los((t)) Angeles, but you having to catch this flight to make it to the funeral.

Good thing you had your passport along with your ticket in your pocket! And your relatives (or the driver sent by your relatives? You're not sure.) are waiting outside so you'll be able to figure things out after you head home with them.