Dolly Parton's death was mourned around the world, but her funeral was a private affair.
One week after the country music icon's death at age 80, Richie Owens, Parton's cousin and former musical collaborator, opened up about the singer's memorial service during an interview on the "Today" show Thursday, Sept. 3.
Parton died after a brief battle with cancer
, with her death triggering an outpouring of grief, from fellow Hollywood stars to everyday fans who attended makeshift memorials.Despite the strong public reaction, the "Jolene" singer was privately laid to rest in an intimate service in Nashville on Aug. 28, Parton's niece, Lainey Mae Parton, previously confirmed on social media.
"She wanted to keep it very quiet," Owens said on "Today." "The
word keeps getting brought up − a 'funeral' − and I don't believe that was really the case in this situation; it was more [of] a burial to be buried beside her husband [Carl Dean]. And she wanted it very small, and a few family members were there."
Shortly following her death, Parton's representatives confirmed that "at Dolly's request, a small, private service" would be held for immediate family. The family asked for donations to be made to the singer's Imagination Library, a children's literacy program that gifts free books to kids from birth to age 5, in lieu of flowers.
Owens said the service was kept private out of respect for Parton's wishes and "not for any bad reasons whatsoever," adding that the singer preferred for fans to pay tribute to her by donating to her various charities.
"She would much rather see people take that $50 they were going to spend on flowers and give it to her Imagination Library," Owens said. "She said that many, many times. She really cared about her charities."
Owens, who collaborated with Parton on her albums "Hungry Again" and "Precious Memories," also reflected on the country superstar's legacy, including her famously warm character.
"What you saw from Dolly is how she was in real life, at home: personable, magical, just very giving," Owens said. "You got the same thing. She didn't turn it on and off. Dolly was always Dolly. She had the greatest sense of humor."
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's cousin reveals why singer's funeral was private
