At least Herd will eventually be looked after in the Bethel infirmary and get the GB funeral that his status will permit.
I find old JWs tend to double down on their beliefs - very few seem to reflect on a wasted life working as an unpaid volunteer for a religious media corporation. Many go by the old mantra "even if it isn't the truth , it is still the best way of life". At least in some cases it gives them a degree of community , albeit it depends on the congregation and family ties etc.