What to do when my aunties want to take my grandma away against her will?

I am lost here not knowing your culture or which islands. Do they perhaps want her to die where she will be buried? if she is clearly very ill the airline may not take the risk of letting her board ticket or no ticket. Is grandma still capable of speaking for herself?
Are you her primary caregiver? Is the parent who is related to the aunties still in the picture and in agreement with this move? Are you quite young and not able legally to help?

It IS very expensive to bring back home a deceased person than it is a living one. And a lot more requirements. Even if you get her doctor's letter, the daughters can easily make flight reservation without telling the airline personnel. They can buy the ticket online. They can check in the airport for her because she's elderly. The only way the airline will know is if she tells them. And that chance is when it's time for boarding when each person goes thru the gate. Even if your grandmother speaks up, the daughters can easily convince them that poor mother has Alzheimer.

Book, wouldn't an airline refuse to carry the grandmother if Willtocarryon presents them with written medical advice against her flying?

Willt.c.a., I agree with both Book and E/lass that the decision about travelling rests:-

1. with your grandmother, if she has the mental capacity to understand her condition; then
2. with whoever has Power of Attorney to act on your grandmother's behalf (there won't necessarily be a person with POA, it isn't always set up); then
3. with next of kin, but that person's or those persons' authority to act would be more limited, especially if she or they were not supported by expert medical opinion.

Continue to advocate for your grandmother: you can't go wrong doing that as long as you're SURE you're standing by what she herself really wants. Is there some important cultural reason or tradition that makes your aunts so anxious to take her back to the islands?

A ticket for a living person is probably cheaper that transporting a body home. That might be a factor. Sorry.

Good for you for looking out for your grandma's best interests!

I agree with what bookluvr said. The Dr. can write a note stating that your grandma shouldn't be traveling but it's not really worth the paper it's written on. If your aunt's are hellbent on doing this and grandma goes along with it there's not much you can do.

I'm not familiarize with this. What does her doctor think? Does he think she can handle traveling to the islands? If he doesn't, I would ask if he can write a medical certification letter saying that she is of fragile health and does not recommend she travel. Ask if he can seal it in an envelope. Also ask the doctor if he can recommend anything else that you can do. If he doesn't have any, then maybe call Adult Protective Services (usually found in the government phone listing under senior citizen.) Explain the situation and ask for recommendation. Most likely, they will tell you to see an Elder Law attorney (like they did with me). But, you might reach someone who is willing to give you advice also.

Does anyone have POA (power of attorney) over your grandma? Is it one of grandma's daughters? I think, even if one of them has POA, if the doctor says she's not fit to travel, then they need to honor that. But it may not stop them since they're determined to get her back to the islands.