As tributes continue to pour in for Dolly Parton, fans across Tennessee and around the world are wondering how they can say goodbye to the beloved entertainer and philanthropist.
Parton's family announced that, at her request, a small private funeral will be held for immediate family. The country music icon, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, will be buried beside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at Nashville's Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.
While Parton was celebrated for a career that earned her numerous awards and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Through efforts including the
Imagination Library, which has distributed 270 million books to children, she became one of Tennessee's most influential philanthropists.
Here's what we know about her funeral plans.
Will Dolly Parton's funeral be public?
Parton's family will gather to say goodbye to her, but don't expect an announcement.
“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family," the family said in a social media post.
"Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at dollyparton.com.”
The family has also asked that, in lieu of flowers, people can “make donations to the Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.”
Where will Dolly Parton be buried?
Parton and Dean began their married life together in Nashville and that's where it's ending.
"I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together," Parton shared on social media after his death.
The two met at the Wishy Washy Laundromat.
"My first thought was, 'I'm gonna marry that girl,' Dean said, according to Entertainment Tonight in 2016 when the two renewed their vows. "My second thought was, 'Lord, she's good lookin.' And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."
Seldom appearing in public, Dean was an integral part of Parton's behind-the-scenes life.
Dean was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville. The headstone is engraved with a mountain scene featuring a wood cabin and barn. Dean's name is on the right side of the marker with Parton's on the left.
Parton will be interred there next to Dean.
Who else is buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville?
Parton will be among good company at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.
According tofindagrave.com, more than 70 people, given the "famous memorial" designation, are buried at Woodlawn. While the majority of those people are musicians, it also includes famous athletes and politicians.
The list includes:
- Robert William "James" Abernathy, a professional baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues before injury led him to become a businessman in Nashville.
- Lynn Anderson, a country music singer who was named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade for the 1970s and became the first woman to headline and sell out Madison Square Garden.
- Owen Bradley, a country music producer who worked with Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn.
- Biff Collie, a pioneering country music radio personality.
- George Jones, a country music singer and songwriter best known for the single "He Stopped Loving Her Today."
- James Percy Priest, a U.S. Congressman representing Tennessee.
- Marty Robbins, a country music singer, songwriter with more than 15 number one songs on the Country Music sales chart.
- Porter Wagoner, a country music singer known for his showmanship and rhinestone suits who helped get Dolly Parton her start in the industry.
- Tammy Wynette, a country music singer known as the "First Lady of Country Music" and best remembered for the song "Stand By Your Man."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton to be interred in Nashville. What to know about funeral
