The Truth Behind Walt Disney's Burial and the Cryonics Myth

For decades, there have been countless myths and rumors surrounding the burial and possible cryonic preservation of Walt Disney. However, these stories are far from the truth. Walt Disney's body was not frozen; instead, he was cremated and his ashes interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Let's delve into the details of Walt Disney's burial and debunk the persistent cryonics myths.

Walt Disney's Cremation and Burial

Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, at the age of 65 due to an acute circulatory collapse, a condition caused by a cardiac arrest. According to his wishes, no public funeral was held, and only a brief and private service for immediate family members took place in a small chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. His ashes were interred in a family plot at the more private and exclusive Forest Lawn Memorial Park, not at the more public Hollywood Cemetery where many movie personalities are buried.

The family has kept the specific details of his burial site private, and there is no ongoing care of his remains by Disney. The cremation process was immediately followed by the burial, and the rapidity of this process was necessary to prevent further cell damage and tissue deterioration, which is critical when dealing with the delicate structure of the human brain.

How the Cryonics Rumor Began

The belief in Walt Disney being cryogenically frozen likely started due to his early death and the subsequent advancements in cryonics technology. However, several factors prevent this from being a viable option for Walt Disney.

First, when Disney passed away, the Surgeon General's warnings against smoking and their link to lung cancer had not yet been widely recognized. Additionally, several conditions that would have made cryonic preservation improbable included:

Walt Disney was a long-time smoker, beginning as an ambulance driver in France during World War I. Over his lifetime, his smoking habit contributed to an early and untimely death from lung cancer. During his last hospital stay, doctors removed his left lung and treated him with radioactive cobalt, which significantly weakened his overall health. The rapid spread of cancer to his lymph nodes and other critical organs made it medically improbable for cryonics to be effective even if the technology had been available at the time.

Verification of Walt Disney's Death and Cremation

The death certificate of Walt Disney, which was publicly filed, clearly indicated his cause of death and the fact that he was cremated two days after his death. The death certificate even includes the information that the embalmer is a licensed and recognized professional associated with the Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Current Status of Cryonics Bodies

Even in the early 2000s, when the Federal Government ordered an inventory of cryonics firms in the U.S., only a few bodies, including a couple of heads, were reported in cryogenic state. Walt Disney was not among them.

Conclusion

Walt Disney's aggressive cancer, spread from his lungs to other major organs, made any form of cryonic preservation medically improbable. Although cryonics could be a possibility in the future, it was not an option during his time, nor was it considered. Smoking, unfortunately, played a crucial role in his untimely death rather than any other factor.

As we remember Walt Disney, it is important to acknowledge the impact of smoking on public health and the world of entertainment. If you smoke or vape, consider quitting. If you haven't started, never begin. The world lost a creative genius and entertainment icon way too soon.