As soon as the old man was released  his brother became critically ill and died two days later. Many family members choose to be together in life as well as death.
While he was waiting to die his wife came to him and said, "Why are you taking so long to die? I'm waiting for you" . She had left him fifteen years before. But now they are together again. No one really dies. They just release their body and continue on with their spiritual existence. Release is always chosen.