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Although the legendary Bill Hayes passed away back on January 12, the residents of Days of Our Lives‘ Salem won’t say farewell to his iconic alter ego, Doug Williams, until the first week of December. It seems somehow appropriate that the episode in which friends and family bid farewell to Doug — tentatively slated to air on Tuesday, December 3  — will also be the soap’s 15,000th.

“This will resonate for a long time to come with our viewers,” said executive producer Ken Corday at a special set-side event marking the bittersweet occasion. Corday went on to share that during the service at which loved ones said farewell to Hayes, he and headwriter Ron Carlivati came up with the idea to celebrate Doug’s life during the milestone episode.

Over the past few weeks, several former Days stars — including Stephen Schnetzer (Steve), Gloria Loring (Liz) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer) — have let slip that they will be returning to the show, and it was assumed by most — including us — that Doug’s funeral was what would bring them back. We now know that to be the case, not to mention several other fan faves who will be back for the memorial service.

At a special set-side event marking the taping of the 15,000th episode, a list of those who’d be attending Doug’s funeral was shared. Among those named? Victoria Konefal (Ciara), Brandon Beemer (Shawn), Sal Stowers (Lani), Lamon Archey (Eli), Martha Madison (Belle), Maree Cheatham (Marie) and Matthew Ashford (Jack).

Konefal admitted she loved being back on set and seeing “everyone who at some point have been like my family,” although she added that emotions were “super high” given that the nature of the episode being shot. “I loved Bill dearly,” she told us. “He and I had a very special relationship.”

One notable name who was not on the list? Kristian Alfonso, who is best known for having played Hope, Doug’s daughter with his wife Addie (who, this being a soap and all, happened to also be Julie’s mom!). No word as of yet on how Hope’s absence will be explained or why Alfonso will not be appearing. It’s worth noting, however, that when the actress left Days in 2020, she made it clear in a Soap Opera Digest interview that she didn’t intent on returning, as so many do.

“I’m not coming back,” she said at the time. Two years later, she joined the cast of the spin-off Beyond Salem: Chapter 2, and — insisting she couldn’t leave fans hanging given that show’s cliffhanger of an ending — made a brief return to the mothership in order to wrap Hope’s story. Character-wise, Hope is said to be sitting by the side of a comatose Bo — who was shot by son Shawn — perhaps hoping her love can heal him.

Given Days of Our Lives‘ advanced shooting schedule, it’s entirely possible that between now and when the episode in question actually airs, additional scenes are taped. It’s also possible that the show could be planning a surprise or two for the occasion.