Whoopi Goldberg recently shared a poignant and unconventional tribute to her late mother, detailing how she and her brother Clyde scattered their mother’s ashes on the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland. During an appearance on the July 10 episode of “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the 68-year-old actress and television host candidly explained the deeply personal reason behind this unique act of remembrance.
Goldberg’s mother passed away in 2010, and soon after, Goldberg and her brother decided to spread her ashes at Disneyland, a place their mother adored. Specifically, they chose the “It’s a Small World” ride, a favorite of Goldberg’s mother. “No one should do this. Don’t do it,” Goldberg cautioned, recalling the experience. “She loved Small World. So, in the Small World ride, periodically, I’d scoop some of her up and I’d do this poof, and I said, ‘My God, this cold is getting worse and worse!’ And then we got over to the flowers where it says, ‘Disneyland’ and I was like, ‘Oh, look at that! Poof.’”
Concerned about the potential health and safety implications of their actions, Goldberg later informed Disneyland officials about the ashes. “I told them I did it. I wanted to make sure, actually, that I hadn’t done something that was dangerous, because it hadn’t occurred to me. But there’s a reason they don’t want ashes just floating around,” she explained.
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Goldberg elaborated on this act of remembrance in her memoir, “Bits and Pieces,” released in May. In the book, she highlights her mother’s vision of unity among children of different colors, religions, and cultures, a vision embodied by the “It’s a Small World” attraction. “It was her vision of what human beings should be, these children of the world: all colors, religions, and cultures together. Disney had made it seem possible that all the kids of the world would hold hands in unity,” Goldberg wrote. She also described the day she and Clyde discreetly scattered their mother’s ashes on the ride, noting, “We didn’t get caught, but I confessed it later to a park employee. They weren’t surprised, and they certainly were not happy about it.”
Spreading ashes at Disneyland, though not uncommon, raises significant health and cleanliness concerns. Goldberg acknowledged these issues, citing recent instances where guests have scattered ashes inside various attractions, such as the Star Wars-themed Rise of the Resistance ride.
Goldberg has been open about her own preferences for her remains after death. During a July 2023 episode of “The View,” she expressed a desire for her ashes to be scattered worldwide, envisioning herself as “dust in the wind.” She emphasized not wanting people to feel obligated to visit a cemetery to remember her. “I’m going to be going around the world, I’m going to be everywhere. I might be in your backyard – I don’t know,” she said.
Goldberg has also made it clear that she does not wish to be depicted as a hologram after her death, a stipulation that has been in her will for 15 years. “I don’t want to be a hologram. That’s been in my will for 15 years,” she stated on “The View.” She added that her estate has strict instructions against unauthorized biographical films unless her family grants permission, ensuring her legacy remains in the hands of her loved ones.