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Flashback: Betty White’s Funeral Wishes And The Tear-Jerking Dolly Parton Song For The Occasion

Legendary “Golden Girl” Betty White passed away last Saturday at the age of 99, just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday. Now, the icon’s funeral plans have been revealed, and they could not be more quintessential of the woman that she was.

White’s Funeral Plans

White’s longtime friend and agent Jeff Witjas told People Magazine that White’s funeral will be held privately, which is just the way she wanted it.

“The arrangements are being handled privately and that was Betty’s wish,” Witjas said. “As in life, she never wanted people to make a fuss over her.”

Witjas went on to say that fans who are looking to honor White can do so by donating to her favorite organizations, some of which include: The Los Angeles Zoo, Tree People, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Wildlife Learning Center, Actors and Animals for Others, The Aquarium of the Pacific and Guide Dogs For the Blind.

“If someone has a desire to do something in her honor, you can support or donate to one or more of her favorite charities or even donate to a local animal charity of your choice,” he said.

White’s Animal Rights Activism

While White was known as an actress and starred in countless movies and on TV, she was also an animal rights activist who was on the board of trustees for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the nonprofit partner of the Los Angeles Zoo, for nearly fifty years.

In 2017, White received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, which recognized her “commitment to wildlife and efforts to create a sustainable planet.”

It was Witjas who announced the sad news that White had died in her sleep last weekend.

“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” Witjas said. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband, Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”

White’s ‘Wonderful Approach To Death’

Back in 2012, Betty White said in an interview that she saw “nothing” difficult about aging and recalled her mother’s “wonderful approach to death.”

“She said, ‘We know we have managed to find out almost anything that exists, but nobody knows … what happens at that moment when it’s over’ … And she said, ‘It’s the one secret that we don’t know.’ So whenever we would lose somebody very close and very dear, she would always say, ‘Well, now he knows the secret.’ And it took the curse off of it somehow,” White explained.

“I have no fear or dread of death,” she added. “[But] I’m happy as a lark to stay around as long as I can.”

Fans Adorn Her Hollywood Star

Since Betty’s funeral will be private, much to her fans dismay, many people are showing their love by adorning her Hollywood star with flowers, stuffed animals, and notes.

One fan is even calling for Betty’s beloved Dolly Parton to sing at White’s funeral.

Could you imagine how moving it would be if Dolly sang “Let Her Fly”?

Betty White will forever be dearly missed by her millions of adoring fans. May she rest in peace.

James Conrad

James Conrad’s passion for politics is only overshadowed by his longstanding interest in Hollywood. His unique perspective as a gay conservative fuels him to challenge celebrity views and those who think they have a right to tell anyone how to think or vote. James proudly wields his minority point of view to combat identity politics and cut through his typecast. Fun fact: James’ guilty pleasure is the British royal family.