I find this ridiculous because it isn't true. Except OP meant to say the incident happened in 2019/2020 during the bear rally because Bitcoin transactions at present are frustrating the hell out of anyone making use of such services. Paying with USDT seems a much easy option as delivery speed is fast and cheap transaction fee. Even as I type this, I have a pending Bitcoin transfer for 3 days running.

On the issue of someone getting assess to your Bitcoin after your demise, I think that is something one arranges before one's demise. You can show your wife where you wrote down your vitals (private keys/pass phrases and others) relating to any wallet you own. It's as simple as that.