Betty White's funeral will be private; how fans, friends will honor the TV legend

Elise Brisco, USA TODAY
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Betty White's party will still go on as fans and friends plan to commemorate the late actress on her 100th birthday following her death on Dec. 31, just weeks before the milestone.

White died "peacefully in her sleep" from natural causes in Brentwood, California, her agent and friend Jeff Witjas confirmed to USA TODAY. He also confirmed that funeral arrangements for the late actress will be private.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published Monday, Witjas said White didn't discuss her funeral plans often during the time they spent together.

"I just couldn't really expect her to pass, to be honest. So I said, 'why talk about it…' I'm sure she had certain wishes, but I did not talk to her about that," he said.

Here are other ways to remember and honor the entertainment legacy White left behind.

A memorial to Betty White at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame following news of her death at age 99.
A memorial to Betty White at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame following news of her death at age 99.

'100 Years Young' film premiere

Her upcoming Jan. 17 birthday celebration, which was planned prior to her death, will still go on, and includes the premiere of the two-hour film "100 Years Young."

The one-day-only film will screen in almost 900 movie theaters nationwide and will feature cameos from White's friends including Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Kimmel and others.

Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments

“We will go forward with our plans to show the film in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life – and experience what made her such a national treasure,” producers of "Betty White: 100 Years Young," Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein, said in a statement.

Fans can celebrate what would've been Betty White's birthday with the film "100 Years Young."
Fans can celebrate what would've been Betty White's birthday with the film "100 Years Young."

'Match Game' marathon

White captured audiences with laughter as she appeared on many game-show panels, including "To Tell the Truth," "What’s My Line," "Girl Talk," "The Match Game," "You Don’t Say!," "Just Men!," "The Hollywood Squares," "The $25,000 Pyramid"

She actually met her third husband Allen Ludden, who was the host at the time, on the set of "Password."

The Game Show Network is honoring White's life by airing an 8-hour-long marathon of "The Match Game" where she often appeared as a panelist.

GSN announced the binge-watch opportunity Wednesday adding that it will air on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. ET/ 6 a.m. PT to "honor the golden girl of game shows."

More: Betty White, legendary actress and America's favorite senior citizen, dies at 99

Watch Betty White's 'SNL' episode

"Saturday Night Live" honored the first lady of television the day after her death by airing the "SNL" episode she hosted in 2010 after a Facebook petition was started to get her on the show.

"SNL" alum Seth Meyers recalled her time hosting the show on Twitter saying she was "the only 'SNL' host" to get a "standing ovation at the after party."

"She ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end," Meyers wrote.

White's turn on the live comedy sketch show is available to stream on Hulu, Peacock and NBC.

Hollywood remembers Betty White: 'SNL' pays tribute to Betty White by re-airing her 2010 episode

#BettyWhiteChallenge

White spent much of her time on Earth championing for animal rights and fans are keeping her work alive through the #BettyWhiteChallenge.

Since the first week of January, the social media hashtag has been trending as fans ask others to donate to any local or national animal shelter, rescue or agency in White's name leading up to or on her Jan. 17 birthday.

What is the #BettyWhiteChallenge?Fans honor the legendary actress and her animal advocacy

Madeline Bernstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, partnered with White during the actress's crusade to help animals.

"Betty White was the real deal," Bernstein told USA TODAY. "She did not come upon animal welfare issues when it became more trendy to do so. She was like that from, well, she would say from birth."

Stream 'Golden Girls,' 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' and more

White's acting career stretched across several decades.

Since her very first television series "Life With Elizabeth," there has hardly been a time when she has not been a regular presence in our homes. Many of her projects are still available to stream:

  • "Life With Elizabeth" (Pluto TV)

  • "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (Hulu)

  • "The Love Boat" (Paramount+, Amazon Prime)

  • "The Golden Girls" (Hulu)

  • "Ladies' Man" (Crackle)

  • "The Golden Palace" (Hulu starting Jan. 10)

  • "Boston Legal" (Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+)

  • "Betty White: First Lady of Television" (Netflix)

  • "Betty White's Pet Set" (Crackle)

Betty White's biggest career moments: From Emmy awards to Guinness World Records

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Betty White funeral plans, posthumous birthday celebrations underway