Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” has tragically passed away at the age of 53 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She has been open about her stage 4 cancer journey and recently talked about the worst ending for her illness. In a candid interview, the actress discussed her plans for a memorial service.
Doherty, who just passed away, recently revealed that she wanted her funeral to be anything but sad. Instead of a place to mourn her death, she wanted it to be a coming together to celebrate her life.
Shannen Doherty attends Hollywood Unites For The 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer on September 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Shannen Doherty at the “BH90210” Press Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on August 08, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
“I don’t want people to be crying or people to want people to privately [be] like thank God that they’re just dead now,” she said. Given the choice, she would want to hold the memorial service in her home and have it something like a party.
She also claimed that she preferred cremation but did not plan where to settle her ashes. “I want to be cremated,” she said, acknowledging the “morbid topic.” “I want to be mixed with my dog, and I want to be mixed with my dad,” she added.
Shannen Doherty at the Farrah Fawcett Foundation’s event honoring Stand Up To Cancer on September 9, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Shannen Doherty at the Farrah Fawcett Foundation’s Tex-Mex Fiesta on September 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She underwent the necessary treatment and procedures, including a mastectomy, to remove the mass. Although she went into remission after two years, the cancer returned in 2019.
The following year, she announced her metastatic stage 4 cancer. She has since been open about her journey and raised awareness and funds for research.
Shannen Doherty on season 3 of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on September 8, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko during the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) at Walt Disney Concert Hall on September 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
However, things only got worse for the actress. In June 2023, she revealed that the cancer spread to her brain and later to her bones. Still, she tried to live every day normally and to the best of her abilities. “I pray. I wake up and go to bed thanking God, praying for the things that matter to me without asking for too much,” she said.
Doherty’s courage and transparency about her diagnosis inspired many of her fans and fellow cancer fighters. Her passing marks a significant loss in the entertainment community, remembered not only for her roles on screen but also for her resilience and spirit in face of adversity.
