This legendary actress never wanted a funeral, memorial, or grave marking after she died
Two years have passed since the world lost the legendary actress and singer Doris Day, who passed away at the age of 97. Known for her incredible talent and warm personality, Day was a shining star of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Between 1947 and 1967, she released over 650 songs, appeared in nearly 30 films, and earned numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Though Day passed away in 2019, it has recently been revealed that she had very specific wishes regarding her passing. Despite her widespread fame, Doris Day did not want a traditional burial, memorial service, or even a grave marker. Her close friend and manager, Bob Bashara, disclosed that she had difficulty accepting death and did not wish to discuss funeral plans. This decision was rooted in her deep connection to animals, as she struggled with the idea of losing them.
“She didn’t like death,” Bashara explained in an interview. “She couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her animals, especially if they had to be put down. She had a hard time accepting death.” Day’s love for animals was well-known, and she spent much of her later life advocating for animal rights, founding the Doris Day Animal Foundation to support neglected and abandoned animals.
At the time of her death, Doris Day’s foundation confirmed that she had passed away due to pneumonia at her home in Carmel Valley, California. In accordance with her wishes, Day was cremated, and her ashes were scattered. She did not want public memorials, as she preferred to live a modest life, staying humble despite her fame. She had always been a private person, and Bashara suggested her reluctance to have a funeral stemmed from her shy nature.
Throughout her remarkable 50-year career, Day made an indelible impact on both the music and film industries. She starred in iconic films like Pillow Talk, Love Me or Leave Me, and The Man Who Knew Too Much, while also becoming a Grammy-winning singer known for timeless hits like “Sentimental Journey,” “Secret Love,” and “Que Sera, Sera.” These songs were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy in the music world.
Beyond her film and music career, Day was a passionate advocate for animal rights, dedicating much of her time to raising awareness for animal welfare. She founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation and raised millions of dollars for the cause, even auctioning off over 1,000 of her personal items in 2020 to fund her animal-related initiatives. She also played a key role in establishing a Texas Horse Rescue and Adoption Center, providing much-needed care for neglected horses.
Day’s legacy also includes her personal life, marked by four marriages, the birth of her son Terry Mulcher, and the ups and downs that accompanied her public and private life. Her son, who was adopted by Day’s third husband, Martin Melcher, passed away from cancer in 2004, a loss that deeply affected her.
Despite her public success, Doris Day never fully embraced her celebrity status. According to Bashara, she never fully understood why people loved her so much, always seeing herself as the “little girl from Cincinnati” who simply followed her passion. Her humility and dedication to her work, as well as her love for animals, remained at the forefront of her life.
Day’s contribution to both Hollywood and animal welfare will never be forgotten. In tribute to her, a television series based on her life is in development, starring and produced by Kaley Cuoco. The series will be based on the book Doris Day: Her Own Story by A.E. Hotchner, and aims to showcase her life and enduring impact on the world.
Though Doris Day is no longer with us, her legacy lives on in the music, films, and charitable work she left behind. She remains a beloved figure, admired not only for her talent but for her grace, kindness, and dedication to causes that mattered to her. Rest in peace, Doris Day. Your influence will forever shine brightly.