Witch Refocus rules.

[RicoLoco]

I’m trying to get a solid ruling on whether the witch can refocus while their familiar is dead. The text specifies that while your familiar is dead you lose the ability to prepare spells, but says nothing else about whether you lose any other functions. Then when you look at the refocus text later on it states they refocus by communing with their familiar. Is that just flavor text like meditating or praying for other classes? Or are they staying you have to have your familiar physically in front of you? There is not mention of not being able to if the familiar is dead so I am quite confused and having a hard time finding anyone really discussing it.

[breithauptclan]

I have always read that Refocus rule of the Witch as requiring the familiar to be alive and present for the process.

That is the only significant drawback of having your familiar die. Being unable to refocus and continue using your focus spells. Without that there is practically no reason not to simply let your familiar die each day - nothing other than RP reasons and the loss of a few familiar and master abilities.