Dolly Parton and Carl Dean will be together in death as they were for nearly 60 years in life.
The singer's nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed to TMZ she will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where her late husband is buried. He preceded her in death on 2025.
Parton died peacefully Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. The East Tennessee native was 80 years old.
A private memorial service for Parton will be held for immediate family, "at Dolly's request," according to her representative.
No public memorial services have been announced, but the Grand Ole Opry will host a tribute Aug. 29 for the iconic Opry member of nearly 60 years.
In a 2014 interview with Entertainment
Weekly, Parton said she wanted the song "If We Never Meet Again" to be sung at her funeral. "It's an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore. 'Where the charming roses bloom forever and where separations come no more.' That was my daddy’s favorite. We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine."
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Dolly Parton's cause of death: Singer battled cancer in final days
Parton's representatives confirmed to the USA TODAY Network she was battling cancer before her death.
The singer's representatives described her battle with cancer as brief. They did not disclose what kind of cancer she had.
Parton was open about her struggle with health complications in recent months, though she kept her cancer diagnosis quiet.
Parton began reducing her travel and work schedule last year due to chronic health issues she was having treated. This year, however, she’s made it a point to attend major occasions related to Dollywood and her brand.
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Parton made a surprise appearance in June at the opening of her Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville. She also personally welcomed guests to Dollywood in March to celebrate the opening of the theme park’s 41st season.
In May, Parton shared an update on her health via a video posted on her social media accounts. She revealed that her immune and digestive systems have been "out of whack" for several years and that she's long had problems with kidney stones, but said she was responding well to treatment, just not soon enough to return to the stage.
The beloved entertainer and philanthropist canceled her Las Vegas residency that had been scheduled for later this year, but assured fans that she's in good spirits and on the mend.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton will be buried alongside her husband, Carl Dean
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