Lost & Found: Hilarious Stories of Things People Have Left in Their Wills
Published on Tue Feb 25 2025 in Family
Most of us think of wills as a serious matter—dividing assets, making sure loved ones are looked after, and ensuring everything is in order. But every now and then, people get creative, leaving behind some truly bizarre, hilarious, and heartwarming surprises for their families.
From secret chocolate stashes to fortunes left to pets, here are some of the strangest, funniest, and most unexpected things people have ever left in their wills.
1. A Fortune for… a Dog?
We all love our pets, but some people take their devotion to the next level. One famous case is Leona Helmsley, a billionaire who left $12 million to her Maltese dog, Trouble. Meanwhile, her grandchildren got significantly less! Imagine the family tension at that reading of the will.
2. The Hidden Chocolate Supply
One thoughtful (and mischievous) grandmother left her family a carefully hidden stash of chocolate, with detailed instructions in her will on where to find it. Her reasoning? "Because you’ll all need comfort food when dealing with this paperwork!" Now that’s planning ahead.
3. A Haunted Message from Beyond
One man, with a great sense of humor, paid for a bench to be installed at his favourite fishing spot, with an engraved plaque reading:
"If you’re reading this, I finally caught the big one!"
His family loved the idea, and now every time they visit, they have a reason to smile.
4. The Ultimate Prank
An Englishman named Anthony Scott left his best mate £500 and a note instructing him to use the money to buy "the best bottle of whiskey he could find"—but with one condition: He had to pour it over his grave. His friend followed through but admitted, "I passed it through my kidneys first!"
5. The One Cent Revenge
Wills can be a place for sweet messages… or a place for decades-old grudges. One man left his ex-wife exactly one cent, just to make sure she’d have to go to the trouble of cashing it! Talk about holding a grudge from beyond the grave.
6. The Ashes World Tour
Some people don’t just want to leave money—they want to send their loved ones on an adventure. One woman left her entire life savings to her best friends, with instructions to use it for a world trip where they had to scatter her ashes in her favourite places. Free holiday with a side of sentimental moments? Sounds like a deal!
Planning for the Future—Without the Drama
While these stories are hilarious, they highlight something important—having a plan in place makes a huge difference for your loved ones. A proper will ensures that your wishes (quirky or not) are followed and that your family isn’t left sorting out complicated financial matters.
And that’s where Funeral Insurance comes in. With Momentum Life Funeral Insurance, you can make sure your final expenses are covered, so your loved ones can focus on celebrating your life instead of worrying about costs.
Whether you want to leave behind a heartfelt message, a surprise treasure hunt, or just peace of mind, having a plan in place ensures your legacy—however you define it—is carried out exactly how you want.
Final Thoughts
Life is full of surprises, and as these stories show, death doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom either. Having a plan is key, no matter what the plan is.
Want to make sure your family isn’t left dealing with unexpected expenses? Talk to Momentum Life or buy funeral insurance online today to help take the financial stress off your loved ones—so they can focus on celebrating your life (and maybe even carrying out your hilarious final requests).
The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. The information is of a general nature and does not constitute financial advice or other professional advice. To the extent that any of the content constitutes financial advice, it is limited to Momentum Life products only and does not consider your specific financial needs or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek independent professional advice, if required.
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