William Shatner has made a surprising decision about what should happen to his body after he dies, revealing an unusual final wish following a terrifying battle with stage 4 cancer.
The 95-year-old Star Trek legend opened up about his plans during an emotional appearance at the End Well Summit in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 12, where he was joined by his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, 62.
Shatner revealed that he has already included instructions in his will to have a tree planted above his body after his death, a decision he says his entire family intends to follow.
“I have in my will that there will be a tree over my body,” the actor explained.
The revelation comes after Shatner and his daughter survived separate battles with advanced cancer, a frightening ordeal that forced the family to confront the possibility of losing one another.
Shatner was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma in June 2023 after discovering a suspicious lump on his cheek. His family doctor initially believed it was a problem with his salivary gland and suggested massaging the area.
But when the lump continued growing, Shatner sought another opinion. Doctors discovered melanoma that had already spread to his lungs and brain.
The devastating diagnosis came while Melanie was undergoing treatment for stage 4 breast cancer, which she had been diagnosed with the previous year.
Melanie’s treatment included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 30 radiation sessions and additional cancer therapies. At one point, the frightening uncertainty became so overwhelming that she called her father late at night, terrified she might die.
Despite battling a potentially deadly illness himself, Shatner immediately got out of bed and drove to her home. He embraced his daughter and reassured her that she would get through the ordeal.
Melanie recalled how desperately she needed her father in that moment, describing the comfort of having him there when she was frightened about her future.
For Shatner, the experience was equally devastating. Having spent decades entertaining audiences as Captain James T. Kirk, the Hollywood veteran suddenly found himself facing a threat that no amount of fame or success could protect his family from.
During the November 12 discussion, he acknowledged that confronting death so directly had permanently changed his perspective. Although people understand they will eventually die, he explained, that knowledge becomes very different when a life-threatening diagnosis makes the possibility feel immediate.
Fortunately, both Shatner and Melanie responded to treatment and were cancer-free by late 2024. They have since spoken publicly about their experiences and the importance of appreciating everyday life.
The actor’s latest comments also come months after he condemned disturbing social media hoaxes falsely claiming he was dying of stage 4 brain cancer. In April, Shatner blasted accounts that he said used AI-generated images to spread fabricated stories about his declining health.
While his previous melanoma had spread to his brain, the viral claims about a new, terminal brain cancer diagnosis were false. Shatner reassured concerned fans that he was doing well.
Now, rather than dwelling on his frightening medical ordeal, the beloved actor says surviving cancer has given him a deeper appreciation for the world around him.
From watching hummingbirds to spending time with his dog and children, Shatner has found new meaning in life’s simplest moments.
And his unusual burial wish appears to reflect that outlook: After a lifetime spent exploring the stars on television, Shatner hopes his final resting place will become part of something living here on Earth.