The last time my dad called was 16 years ago when my mum was bleeding out after surgery and we didn't know if she was going to make it.
Other than that, it's WhatsApp messages, and they're usually about the dog.
I would 100% think someone had died if my dad called.
As an autistic adult who successfully masks and is exhausted by conversation, about half of the interaction with my partner are sending memes back and forward because they get a feeling or point across in short format without loads of explanation.
It's a very good communication format.