Please reassure your father and tell him not to be shocked, it certainly isn't as uncommon as you might think. Having said that, I have to admit it doesn't make you feel very comfortable when you find where they were.
I discovered my 2 x great grandfather had also died in the workhouse. Many of these places housed an infirmary, if they had no one who was able to care for them for whatever reason, this was the only place for them to go.
Pels.