With the release of the documentary Kim Novak's Vertigo on DVD earlier this month, the world developed a whole new understanding of the popular '50s and '60s blond femme fatale.
The actress, now 93, famously starred in some of the era's defining productions, from 1955's Picnic to 1958's Vertigo and Bell, Book and Candle.
After withdrawing from the screen and public life by 1965, Kim continued her acting career sporadically, but officially retired following 1991's Liebestraum.
© Universal History ArchiveKim Novak's plans for her death
In a new interview with Fox News Digital, the actress looked to the next stage of her life – death. And fully affirmed that she wasn't afraid of the idea or dying or talking about it, and had already figured out how she wanted to be treated after she's gone.
"The idea is that I get to live after I'm gone through trees," the actress shared, explaining that a "few years ago," she'd made plans to have her body turned into compost after her passing. "It's an exciting adventure because this is what I want after I pass.I want to keep living."
"And one thing that I've always been short on is patience," she continued. "And a tree has to have patience. I will get to continue to express myself and be an observer of life. To me, it's a beautiful thought. It's given me great peace of mind because I'm going to keep growing. So I'm excited about that."
© Getty ImagesWhy the Vertigo star wants to be turned into compost
The Hitchcock star opined that it "sounds funny perhaps, but it isn't really," saying that "being turned into ashes or being put under the ground," don't sound "too attractive to me."
In particular, Kim emphasized that what one wants to do with their body after death is "a choice," and she wanted to exercise her choice to be close to nature and the environment, something that gave her a lot more peace. "For me, this was a beautiful concept, the idea of becoming one with the soil."
© Getty Images"And with compost, of course, everything grows so much better than if you didn't have it. It helps with growth. You become part of the process. It's natural, it's real, it's honest, it's pure. And I even get to choose the kind of flowers that are going to be part of my compost — forget-me-nots."
She detailed the process of her remains packed on a bed of ice to be sent to a facility in Washington for natural composting, and the process is legal in Oregon, where she's based. "I'm having all of my compost, once it's done, delivered to friends and family, a bit of it," she further continued.
© Getty Images"I have instructions for all of them to plant a tree or a shrub, but preferably a tree, because I look forward to keeping growing. That's what it's all about for me. I want to keep growing. This is a beautiful expression of life continuing after death."
Kim's perception of life after Hollywood
The Vertigo star also noted that leaving Hollywood and developing a love especially for painting brought her closer to her love for nature. "When I left, what mattered the most was being out in nature. I've always wanted to be close to nature and live a natural life."
© Getty Images"Painting has allowed me to continue expressing myself while out in nature," she added. "And every day of my life, I'm painting. I can't wait to wake up each day and start working on a new painting. Sometimes, I'll stick with a painting for months just because I haven't fully figured out what I want to express. It's been a wonderful way to live a life of expression."
