Whoopi Goldberg’s Unconventional Way of Honoring Her Mother’s Memory

In a recent interview with Seth Meyers, actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg opened up about the unconventional way she chose to honor her mother’s memory. Goldberg recalled blowing her mother’s ashes all over the "It’s a Small World" ride at Disneyland, a ride that held a special place in her mother’s heart.

According to Goldberg, her mother was infatuated with the ride’s message of unity and diversity, and she wanted to make sure her mother’s ashes were spread in a way that reflected that. Goldberg remembered saying to her mother, "No one should do this. Don’t do it," but ultimately decided to go through with the plan after her mother’s passing in 2010.

Goldberg described the moment she spread her mother’s ashes on the ride, saying, "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."

The "Sister Act" star also detailed her mother’s infatuation with the ride, saying, "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 hold hands in unity."

In her 2024 memoir "Bits and Pieces," Goldberg wrote about the experience, saying, "The day Clyde and I took her ashes to Disneyland, it’s possible a lot of her went into the ‘Small World’ ride, her favorite. We were subtle about it, kind of sneezing Ma out here and there when no one was looking. 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."

It’s worth noting that spreading a loved one’s ashes without permission can be considered a criminal act. According to the Southern California Defense Blog, Disneyland is a private property and requires permission from the parent company to spread ashes. Those caught violating the park’s policies can face fines and even up to six months in jail.

Despite the unconventional nature of her actions, Goldberg’s desire to honor her mother’s memory in a way that felt true to her mother’s spirit is a testament to the enduring power of love and remembrance.