Dust to dust…

Discover 12 of the strangest Last Will requests ever


Published on July 26, 2025


Credit: Melinda Gimpel

Thinking about one’s own demise is not a pleasant task for most of us. Still, it’s wise to make preparations in case the worst happens, to ensure your material possessions are handled according to your wishes. The same goes for any plans you might have for your funeral. Last wills are fairly common, but as it happens, in some cases, people go beyond the usual, leading to the 12 extraordinary examples that follow.

1

Code for the afterlife

Credit: Vitaliy Shevchenko

The first name on the list belongs to one of the greatest magicians of all time—Harry Houdini, who died in 1926 from a ruptured appendix.

Houdini’s library of books on magic and the occult was offered to the American Society for Psychical Research on the condition that J. Malcolm Bird, the society’s research officer and editor of its journal, resign. Bird refused, and the collection instead went to the Library of Congress.

Houdini also left his wife a secret code—ten random words they had agreed upon—that he would use to contact her from the afterlife.

2

One dollar

Credit: Kenny Eliason

When news billionaire William Randolph Hearst died in 1951, he included a clause in his will addressing rumors that he had children out of wedlock. Anyone claiming to be his illegitimate child, the will stated, would receive "the sum of one dollar." He added, "I hereby declare that any such asserted claim... would be utterly false."

No one ever came forward.

3

Drumskin

Credit: Paweł Bulwan

When hatmaker S. Sanborn died in 1871, he stipulated in his will that two drums be made from his skin and given to a friend, on the condition that every June 17 at dawn, the friend would play "Yankee Doodle" at Bunker Hill to commemorate the anniversary of the famous Revolutionary War battle.

The rest of his body was to be composted into fertilizer to nourish an American elm tree, to be planted along a rural roadside.

4

Ghost dinner

Credit: Libby Penner

John Bowman, a wealthy tanner from Vermont, believed he would be reincarnated along with his deceased wife and two daughters. To prepare for their return, his will established a $50,000 trust fund to maintain his mansion and mausoleum.

The will required that dinner be served every night, just in case the Bowmans were hungry upon returning from the dead. This ritual continued from his death in 1891 until 1950, when the trust fund was finally depleted.

5

150 rich dogs

Credit: Chewy

Eleanor E. Ritchey, heiress to the Quaker State Refining Corporation, left her $4.5 million fortune to her 150 dogs when she died in Florida in 1968. The will was contested, and by 1973, the dogs were awarded $9 million.

By the time the estate was finally settled, its value had grown to $14 million—but only 73 of the original 150 dogs were still alive. When the last dog died in 1984, the remaining estate passed to the Auburn University Research Foundation to fund research into animal diseases.

6

A final round of drinks

Credit: Sérgio Alves Santos

Janis Joplin, the legendary singer known for her soulful voice and hard-living lifestyle, died of a drug overdose in 1970. Her will included a $2,500 provision to fund an all-night, posthumous party for 200 guests at her favorite pub in San Anselmo, California—"so my friends can get blasted after I'm gone."

7

Phone directory will

Credit: Quino Al

Portuguese aristocrat Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara made headlines when he randomly selected 70 names from the Lisbon phone directory and named them as beneficiaries in his will.

Understandably, many of the recipients initially thought it was a scam—most had never even heard of him before learning they had inherited part of his estate.

8

One more lucky dog

Credit: Sophie Shankey

Billionaire hotelier Leona Helmsley left the majority of her estimated $8 billion estate in charitable trusts for "purposes related to the care of dogs." She specifically set aside a $12 million trust fund for her Maltese dog, Trouble, and disinherited two of her grandchildren "for reasons known to them."

The disinherited grandchildren contested the will, claiming that Helmsley lacked mental capacity when she made it. The dispute was settled with half of Trouble’s trust—$6 million—being awarded to the grandchildren.

9

The spite clause

Credit: Jay Kettle-Williams

Billionaire Wellington Burt ensured that his fortune would remain inaccessible to his heirs for nearly a century. He died in 1919 and included a "spite clause" in his will, which stipulated that his wealth would be distributed only 21 years after the death of his last surviving grandchild. That grandchild died in 1989, meaning the 21-year countdown ended in 2010.

10

A rose every day

Credit: Carlos Quintero

Comedian Jack Benny’s widow, Mary Livingstone, wrote in a magazine shortly after his death in 1974: "Every day since Jack died, the florist has delivered one long-stemmed red rose to my home. I learned Jack had actually included a provision in his will for the flowers—one red rose to be delivered to me every day for the rest of my life."

11

A birthday

Credit: Nick Stephenson

People leave all kinds of things in their wills, and dates are no exception. In 1891, about three years before his death, novelist Robert Louis Stevenson learned that the 12-year-old daughter of the U.S. Commissioner to Samoa, where he was living at the time, was unhappy because her birthday fell on Christmas Day.

Stevenson left his birthday, November 13th, to little Annie to adopt as her own, provided she took care of it with "moderation and humanity… the said birthday not being so young as it once was."

12

Ashes to ink

Credit: Totte Annerbrink

Mark Gruenwald, a comic book writer best known for his work on Captain America, requested that when he died in 1996, his ashes be mixed into the ink used to print the first trade paperback anthology of Squadron Supreme, another of his landmark creations.


What’s in a name?

What is a William? The etymology behind popular names


Published on July 26, 2025


Credit: iam_os

Do you have a popular name—or one that leaves people begging your pardon? Many of us carry our names proudly because of the meanings they’re associated with. But others have never explored the etymology of their names or the languages they originate from. Even more interesting, you might discover variations or nicknames you didn’t know were connected to your name. Let’s explore the etymology of some of the most popular first names.

1

William

Credit: Max Muselmann

A name fit for kings, knights, poets, and at least four US presidents, William comes from the Old High German Wilhelm, meaning "strong-willed protector." The Normans brought it to England, and by the time William the Conqueror was finished in 1066, it was everywhere.

It later became a go-to name for historical heavyweights like Shakespeare. If you’re a Bill or a Will, you’ve got a name with serious staying power—it’s been among the top US names for over a century!

2

Jack

Credit: Erik Mclean

Short, strong, and straight to the point—Jack is the name of heroes, rebels, and every third guy in fiction. Originally a nickname for John, it became a standalone name during the Middle Ages.

The name means "God is gracious," but let’s be honest: most Jacks are better known for their charisma. From Jack London to Jack Nicholson—not to mention Jack of all trades and Jack and Jill—it’s a name that never goes out of style.

3

Mary

Credit: Jill Burrow

If names had a Mount Rushmore, Mary would be front and center. Derived from the Hebrew Miryam, its exact meaning is debated—some say "beloved," others "rebellious." Either way, it’s been a top-tier name for centuries.

The Virgin Mary gave it global recognition, and by the 19th century, nearly every other girl seemed to be named Mary—or a variation like the Spanish Maria or the French Marie.

4

James

Credit: Alabaster Co

Derived from the Hebrew Ya'aqov (Jacob), James passed through Latin (Iacomus) before settling into English. It’s a name of kings, saints, and at least six US presidents. Jim, Jimmy, Jamie—take your pick!

While Jacob is the biblical troublemaker who wrestled an angel, James had a smoother journey. It became a classic name that feels both regal and approachable.

5

Robert

Credit: Anoop Surendran

If your name is Robert, congratulations—you’ve got one of the most enduring names in history.

Derived from the Old High German Hrodebert ("bright fame"), it stormed into England with the Normans and never left. Rob, Bob, Bobby—this name is nothing if not flexible.

6

Elizabeth

Credit: merwak_ -

A name with royal pedigree and serious staying power, Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath." It’s been worn by queens, saints, and plenty of It Girls.

If Elizabeth feels too formal, don’t worry—there’s no shortage of nicknames: Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Eliza, Liza, and even Buffy (yes, Buffy is short for Elizabeth!).

7

Michael

Credit: Thomas Tucker

An archangel, a basketball legend, and a rock star walk into a bar… and they’re all named Michael!

Stemming from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning "Who is like God?" (a rhetorical question, not a challenge), it’s been one of the most popular names in the US for decades.

8

Patricia

Credit: Gia Oris

Latin for "noble," Patricia began as the feminine version of Patrick but quickly took on a life of its own. It exploded in popularity in the mid-20th century, producing countless Pats, Pattys, Trishes, and Tricias.

9

Barbara

Credit: Elena Mishlanova

Derived from the Greek barbaros ("foreigner" or "stranger"), Barbara was originally a name for outsiders. But by the 20th century, it had become widespread in America. The name took off in the 1920s and ruled the baby name charts through the ’50s.

It’s the name of Barbra Streisand, Barbara Walters, and even the Barbie doll!

10

Linda

Credit: Brina Blum

Fun fact: Linda wasn’t always a common first name! It comes from Spanish and German, meaning "pretty," but it didn’t take off in English until the 20th century. In fact, it skyrocketed to #1 in the US after the 1942 song "Linda" by Jack Lawrence melted hearts.

11

Joseph

Credit: Nathan Dumlao

From the Hebrew Yosef ("he will add"), Joseph is a name with serious spiritual street cred. The name has remained wildly popular for centuries, thanks in part to figures like Joe DiMaggio, Joe Biden, and "Good Ol’ Joe" in just about every story ever told. Plus, it shortens nicely to the friendly "Joe."

12

Charles

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Sophisticated but not stuffy, Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man." Famous Charleses include Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and, of course, Prince Charles (now King Charles III). Surely you know some Charlie, Chuck, or even a Chaz.

13

Nancy

Credit: Mick Haupt

It was originally a nickname for Anne, did you know? Nancy became its name in the 18th century and soared to popularity in the 20th century.

Meaning "grace," it peaked in the 1950s and ’60s, giving the world Nancy Sinatra (These Boots Are Made for Walkin’) and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

14

John

Credit: Alabaster Co

Few names are as solid as John. Coming from the Hebrew Yochanan ("God is gracious"), it marched through Latin and Old French before landing in English. From John F. Kennedy to John Wayne, this name has a history of leading men.

It ruled the medieval world, with so many kings and popes named John that historians probably lost count.

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

riveting

/ˈrɪvədɪŋ/