this has got to be a joke.
there is no way in the world the family did not know he was dead.
imagine everyone sitting down to dinner:
*brother talking to sisters*
brother: go wake poppa-san up for dinner.
1st sister: ok!
*1 st sister goes to door*
1st sister: poppa-san, time for dinner? are you coming?
*there is no answer. 1st sister comes back to table.
2nd sister: is he hungry?
1st sister: nah, i don't think so he did not answer.
2nd sister: WOW! that is wierd it's been over 10 years since he has sat down with with us. hmmmmm, i wonder what is wrong?
brother: that too is strange, my dear sister-sans. let us actually walk in the room and see what is wrong. after all, it's been 10 years.
who makwes up these stories