Doris Day, a symbol of Hollywood glamour, a celebrated singer, and a passionate animal rights advocate, continues to captivate our memories even two years after her passing at the age of 97. Her remarkable journey through the Golden Age of Hollywood, alongside her extensive career as a singer with over 650 songs, established her as a beloved cultural icon. Day’s accolades, which include the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, are a testament to her contributions both in the entertainment industry and her tireless advocacy for animals.
Doris Day’s Humble Wishes for Her Passing
Despite her fame and numerous accomplishments, Doris Day’s final wishes were a surprising departure from traditional practices. A close friend revealed that Day did not want a funeral, memorial, or grave marker after her death. Instead, in keeping with her wishes, she was cremated and her ashes were scattered. But what drove Day to such an aversion to the customary mourning rituals?
A Deep Aversion to Death and Mourning Rituals
According to Bob Bashara, Doris Day’s confidant and manager, she had a profound discomfort with the concept of death. This aversion was so strong that she couldn’t even bear to be around her animals when they were put down. Bashara recalls that whenever the subject came up, Day would become visibly distressed and close off the conversation, insisting that others take care of her pets after her passing. This reluctance to address the topic of death extended to her own end, further explaining her wish for no funeral or memorial services.
A Lifelong Advocate for Animals
Beyond her career as a movie star and singer, Doris Day’s impact on animal rights is a significant part of her legacy. Since the 1970s, she led powerful campaigns against fur cruelty and tirelessly worked to promote the welfare of animals. She founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and her advocacy continued after her death, with the auctioning of over 1,000 of her personal items in 2020, raising $3 million for her cause. One of her enduring contributions was the establishment of a Horse Rescue and Adoption Center in Texas, aimed at rehabilitating abused and neglected horses.
Spirituality and Shyness in Doris Day’s Later Years
Raised in a Catholic household, Doris Day later adopted the Christian Science faith after marrying producer Martin Melcher. Although she distanced herself from organized religion after Melcher’s death in 1968, Doris maintained a spiritual outlook on life, crediting her voice to a divine gift. Despite her fame, she remained inherently shy and struggled to comprehend the widespread adoration of her fans. Bashara noted that this shyness might have played a role in her refusal to engage in public mourning rituals, as she had always preferred to live her life modestly and humbly.
A Legacy That Lives On
Though Doris Day retired from acting in the early 1970s, she continued to shine in the public eye, hosting the short-lived but charming Doris Day’s Best Friends on the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1985. Her spirit, grace, and kindness continue to resonate through her charitable work and advocacy for animals. Doris Day’s unconventional wishes for her passing, including her cremation and the scattering of her ashes, may have shocked some, but they reflect the deeply private and humble nature of a woman who gave so much to the world while shying away from the spotlight.
Doris Day’s legacy remains untarnished, and her life story serves as an enduring reminder of her extraordinary contributions to both entertainment and humanitarian causes. Even in death, her wishes were respected, leaving behind a brilliant legacy that will continue to inspire for generations.
