Holmes experienced a descent into madness in his later years, frequently residing in mental institutions. By the age of seventy, he was taking out advertisements in mortuary publications, promoting an unusual product—a rubber-coated canvas body removal bag that he claimed could also serve as a sleeping bag. This quirky notion reflects his deteriorating state of mind.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Holmes reportedly expressed a wish to forgo embalming, although the reasoning behind this request remains ambiguous and raises questions about his mental stability at that point. His life, marked by odd behavior and mental turmoil, highlights the complexities of a person grappling with their sanity.