Actress Shannen Doherty, who has been bravely battling breast cancer that has spread to her brain and bones, is opening up about her thoughts on her eventual demise and funeral arrangements. During an episode of her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear,” Doherty revealed that facing brain surgery in January prompted her to revisit her will and discuss her funeral wishes.
Acknowledging the uncertainties that come with her health struggles, Doherty shared with her best friend and podcast co-host, Chris Cortazzo, that she wants to ensure her funeral is a celebration of love and not a somber occasion. She mentioned that while thinking about her father’s funeral, she began contemplating who would attend hers and expressed a desire to exclude individuals who might attend out of social obligation rather than genuine affection.
Doherty humorously explained that some people might show up to her funeral for politically correct reasons, stating, “They don’t actually really like me enough to show up to my funeral. But they will because it’s the politically correct thing to do, and they don’t want to look bad. And so, I kind of want to take that pressure off of them.”
She clarified that she welcomes the presence of her fans at her funeral, emphasizing their genuine support throughout her life and career. Doherty made it clear that her wish is for her funeral to be a love-filled celebration, steering away from tears or people privately expressing relief.
Recounting a past house party she threw for her mother’s birthday, she expressed a desire for her funeral to have a similar celebratory atmosphere. She also shared her preference for cremation and expressed a wish to have her ashes mixed with those of her late dog and father.
Despite the gravity of the topic, Doherty maintains a sense of humor, finding reassurance and levity in discussing her funeral plans. She acknowledged that while some might view it as a morbid or weird conversation, she finds something reassuring and funny about it, especially in dire situations.
Doherty has been candid about her cancer journey, recently expressing hope for another “three to five years” and optimism about the possibility of a cure for cancer. Her openness about her experiences and thoughts on mortality continues to inspire others and shed light on the importance of discussing end-of-life preferences.
