The family of a 90-year-old man buried in ancient Olympia, in southern Greece, are up in arms after stories of the his exhumation made national headlines. Rumors that he had asked his wife, as a dying wish, to be buried with a favorite pillow that unbeknownst to her contained their life savings — worth 300,000 euros — made the rounds of the local press.

His nephew, whose family lives with the deceased man’s wife, told Proto Thema that the things being said about his great uncle are shocking.

“They blacken his memory. I have faced a huge problem since the day this rumor came to light. I am afraid. I have two children and I am terrified that many people think we found 300,000 euros,” he said. “It is tragic that nobody contacted even the mayor to confirm whether the prosecutor ordered such an exhumation. My aunt doesn’t even know of the story, because she is elderly and I’m trying to protect her, as her health is at risk.”