My grandaunt Peggy recalled the story of how his younger brother just recently died of a tragic accident. The top quarter of his head had been accidentally sawn off by an electric saw.
Tragedy/tragic was what I felt over this family.
I woke up from the dream. My next dream was all about extreme sports - those kind which can get you killed.
My first thought is that the second dream could be an indication of the cause of him lying on his death bed.
Update: interestingly, it is his birthday today.