This beloved actress and singer died in 2019 – but she refused to have a funeral, memorial, or grave marking.

It’s been two years since we lost legendary actress and singer Doris Day who passed away at the age of 97 after becoming one of the biggest stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

American actress Doris Day, circa 1965. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

As well as appearing in almost 30 movies, she released more than 650 songs between 1947 and 1967 and received many awards for her dedication to music and movies including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The much-loved actress and singer died in 2019 but recently a close friend revealed that she didn’t want a funeral, memorial, or grave marking.

But why? Let’s find out.

There are so many reasons to love Doris Day: he talent, her love for animals, and her humility.

In her 50-year career, Doris was well-loved and highly regarded for her film work. She made her name after starring in such movies as Pillow Talk, Love Me or Leave Me, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.

American actress Doris Day in a fur-trimmed coat, circa 1963. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

The 97-year-old married four times but only had one child. Terry Mulcher, Day’s son via first husband Al Jorden, died in 2004 of melanoma.

As well as achieving fame on the silver screen, Day was also a prominent animal rights activist. She was a very compassionate person who fought for animals without a voice.

Doris was also a Grammy-winning singer.

Her songs Sentimental Journey, Secret Love, and Que Sera Sera were all inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, while her work with animals culminated in the formation of the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

In 2019, Doris Day sadly passed away at her home in Carmel Valley, California. She died after contracting pneumonia and her death was announced by her charity, the Doris Day Animal Foundation which added that as per the star’s request there would be no funeral services, grave marker, or other public memorials.

Instead, she was cremated and had her ashes scattered.

Doris Day with Daises (Photo by Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images)

According to her close friend and manager Bob Bashara, she didn’t want to discuss the prospect of a funeral because she struggled with death.