Shannen Doherty, known for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” revealed her final wishes regarding her remains months before her death. In January, on her podcast “Let’s Be Clear,” she expressed that she wanted her ashes to be mixed with those of her dog and her father when the time came. She specifically mentioned wanting the ashes to be mixed thoroughly to create a healthy combination of her father, herself, and her dog named Bowie. Doherty made it clear that she did not want to be buried, but rather cremated.
In addition to sharing her wishes for her ashes, Doherty granted her friend and episode guest host, Chris Cortazzo, permission to wear some of her ashes around his neck. This act mirrored what she had done with her father’s ashes after his passing in 2010. It is unclear whether this request was fulfilled prior to her death.
Doherty’s battle with cancer was well-known, and she passed away at the age of 53. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and by September 2023, she revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain. In November of the same year, she disclosed that it had spread to her bones. Despite the challenges she faced, Doherty remained courageous and determined. In an interview with People, she expressed that while she would be afraid of death if she wasn’t a good person, she wasn’t afraid of dying because she believed she was a good person. She simply did not want to die.
After experiencing a brief remission, Doherty announced in 2019 that her cancer had returned at stage 4. Throughout her journey, she remained hopeful about new treatment options and ongoing chemotherapy treatments. However, in April, she started going through her belongings and preparing for her death, likely to make matters easier for her mother. Despite this preparation, she continued to express hope and optimism in her podcast episodes just weeks before her passing.
Following her death, Doherty’s friends and former co-stars paid tribute to her. Jason Priestley, who played her twin brother on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram, describing her as a force of nature and expressing his deep sadness. Brian Austin Green, another co-star from the same show, also shared a tribute, thanking Doherty for the gift of her presence in his life. Even Alyssa Milano, with whom Doherty had a public feud during their time on “Charmed,” remembered her fondly and expressed respect for her talent and the impact she had on others.
In conclusion, Shannen Doherty’s final wishes regarding her remains were revealed months before her death. She wanted her ashes to be mixed with those of her dog and father, emphasizing the importance of creating a healthy combination. Despite her battle with cancer and the challenges she faced, Doherty remained hopeful and determined. Her friends and former co-stars remembered her fondly and paid tribute to her, highlighting the impact she had on their lives.
