In the less-then-three minutes it took me to read this chapter, I thought of at least five different ways to do this in a way better way.
Counterpoint, I don't have a friend dying right next to me.
I'm old enough where I've had that happen a few times (the "next to me" part), and that can skew your brain for a few days-weeks-months when it comes to critical thinking.
I think I'd've for sure done it differently, but it's his show, so...