It appears to be about change and perceived value. You're in the process of clearing away things that block your path to greater clarity and understanding. Death typically represents change. Your stepfather tells you "you know I never died" could indicate that nothing has really changed or that he refused to change or didn't change and that my have played a role in his death. Only you would know that answer. Also, dreams with a setting in the past, typically represent the time in your life where you changed your thoughts or beliefs on something or where an opinion, thought or belief began. Perhaps you didn't like having to go to your Aunt's house as a child and having to try and make things fit or workout. All in all, it seems that there are shapes and forms, or rather pieces of your life you must make peace with and clear away out of your third eye vision to see clear and it would seem you're in the process of doing just that.