Generous man arranges for money to be dropped from helicopter at his funeral

Funeral services for Darrell Thomas ended with money raining down from a helicopter. (Source: CEEJAY MCCAIN, CRYSTAL PERRY, CNN via CNN Newsource)
Published: Jun. 30, 2025 at 11:26 AM EDT

DETROIT (CNN) – A man known for giving back to his community wanted to do that one last time after he died.

Funeral services for Darrell Thomas were held last Friday in Detroit.

Thomas’ sons arranged to have a helicopter fly over the funeral home, then money and rose petals were dropped from the chopper.

Crystal Perry, Thomas’ niece, said the helicopter drop was how her uncle wanted to thank the community.

Thomas owned a car wash in the city.

Police were given advance notice about the plans to drop rose petals from the helicopter, but they did not know about the money.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Police say they are not investigating.