Strange things Americans inherit from loved ones

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

CAN YOU LOVE SOMEONE... WITHOUT WANTING ALL THEIR STUFF?

A NEW SURVEY OF 1,200 AMERICANS FROM 1-800-GOT-JUNK FOUND MORE THAN HALF WOULD RATHER INHERIT JUST A FEW MEANINGFUL ITEMS FROM A LOVED ONE THAN EVERYTHING THEY OWN.

IN FACT, NEARLY HALF SAID THEY'D RATHER INHERIT NOTHING AT ALL THAN HAVE TO SORT THROUGH A RELATIVE'S BELONGINGS.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE WHO'VE CLEARED OUT A LOVED ONE'S HOME SAY DEALING WITH ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS MADE IT HARDER TO GRIEVE.

SOME OF THE STRANGEST FAMILY HEIRLOOMS PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED A SOLID GOLD BUTTER KNIFE, A TALKING FISH AND EVEN A BALE OF COTTON SIGNED BY JOHN WAYNE.

SO WHAT'S THE MOST MEMORABLE THING YOU'VE EVER INHERITED?

12 OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS INHERITED

• A bale of cotton signed by John Wayne
• A pure gold butter knife
• Roman artifacts from 300 AD
• A jacket from a well-known 1970s country music outlaw
• A giant garage-sized painting of a dog
• A Tiffany stained-glass lamp
• A pair of lamps in the shape of legs
• A talking fish
• A clear glass donkey that doubles as a beer mug
• Marionettes from the 1800s made of clamshell paper
• An antique dentist chair
• A statue of Abraham Lincoln

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed a combined 2,200 respondents, including 1,200 Americans who are reported on above. The survey also included 800 Canadians and 200 Australians; all respondents have access to the internet. The survey was commissioned by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 22 - May 27, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page