Hollywood’s legendary star Doris Day won’t be having a funeral after she died at the age of 97.
Following her death in her California home on Monday, Doris Day’s unusual post-mortem request was disclosed.
In a statement, The Doris Day Animal Foundation revealed the actress was surrounded by close friends at the time of her death and “had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia”.
The establishment added that “Doris’ wishes were that she have no funeral or memorial service and no grave marker”.
Her manager and close friend Bob Bashara told People the late actress “didn’t like to talk about” a funeral or memorial.
“She didn’t like death, and she couldn’t be with her animals if they had to be put down. She had difficulty accepting death” he said.
Ever since her teenage years, Doris was a loyal supporter of animal rights, before starting her ‘Doris Day Animal Foundation’, she appeared in advertisements condemning the wearing of fur back in the 70s.
“I’d say we need to provide for her dogs [after she died], and she’d say, ‘I don’t want to think about it’ and she said, ‘Well, you just take care of them,’” Bashara recalled.
“She didn’t like to talk about the dogs dying.”
Bashara told People he’s unsure why the star made such a request but believes she was just “a very shy person” and didn’t allow her celebrity status to affect her.
Friends and fans wishing to remember Doris Day, are encouraged to visit www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
