Celebrity3 min(s) read
Rachael Stirling has shared an unusual ritual that she performs prior to going out on stage for a new play. The 49-year-old actor eats a "grain or two" of the ashes of her late mother, Diana Rigg, before an opening night performance. Stirling detailed this unique habit in her new memoir, which explores the deep bond and life shared between the mother and daughter.
Rigg died at the age of 82 in September 2020 following a cancer diagnosis. She was widely recognized for her classic acting roles, including performances in the popular television series The Avengers and Game of Thrones, as well as starring alongside George Lazenby as a Bond girl.
Her daughter’s tradition emerged as a way to maintain a close connection to her during major moments in her professional life.
Health experts generally advise against consuming cremated remains because they may contain trace amounts of heavy metals or chemical residues leftover from the cremation process. While ingesting tiny accidental amounts is usually non-toxic, intentional consumption carries risks of toxic buildup in the body over time. However, Stirling views this practice as a deeply personal act that provides her with strength.
In her memoir, titled All About My Mother, Stirling explains the motivation behind her opening night tradition and how it offers her comfort when performing.
"Although it shocks people when I tell them," she wrote in the memoir. "It feels absolutely natural to me. I am cloaked in her, shielded and shrouded by her. My mother is my superpower."
Rigg was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2020, but she initially chose to keep the illness hidden from her daughter. At the time, Stirling was busy starring in a production of Mike Bartlett's play Love Love Love. As Rigg's condition worsened, Stirling became aware of the situation and stepped in to manage her care during a very challenging period.
The pandemic created serious complications for hospital care and visitation. Stirling described the overwhelming situation she faced when trying to locate her mother in the medical system.
"They lost Mama's name on the system at one juncture during Covid. I was asking: 'Where the f*** is my mother?'" Stirling revealed in her book. "I found her eventually. I basically had to break into the hospital. She was in a room on her own. She couldn't get out of bed. The only thing she wanted to eat was this yogurt, but she couldn't open it, and nobody had helped her, so she hadn't eaten anything. So that was that. I took her home with us."
Six months after her initial diagnosis, Rigg passed away peacefully at home. Following her death in September 2020, Stirling released a statement honoring her mother's life and her extensive work as an actor.
"My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. I will miss her beyond words," Stirling said at the time, per Deadline. "She spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession."
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