Country music icon Dolly Parton was laid to rest alongside her late husband in a private Nashville ceremony on Friday, according to her family and reports from the Los Angeles Times and Global News. Parton died at the age of 80 on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Private Funeral at Woodlawn Memorial Park
Parton’s immediate family gathered on Friday morning at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville to inter the singer alongside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. According to Global News, Parton had her name and an engraving of her childhood cabin in Sevier County, Tennessee, pre-engraved on the bronze crypt plate mounted at the mausoleum before her death.
Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 shared photographs of the burial site, noting that the cemetery placed velvet ropes and guest books near the crypt for fans wishing to pay respects, per the Los Angeles Times. The cemetery’s obituary encouraged international fans to share tributes on social media by tagging Parton’s official accounts, while her family requested memorial donations be directed to Dolly’s Imagination Library.
Family Tributes and Grand Ole Opry Honors
Following the funeral, Parton’s great-niece Lainey Parton shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing that the country star made her feel safe, confident, and capable from childhood through their collaboration on the 2024 Smoky Mountain DNA album. “Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers,” Lainey Parton wrote, as cited by Global News.
Tributes also poured in across Nashville. On August 29, country singers Carly Pearce and Jelly Roll performed Parton’s signature hit “9 to 5” in a surprise appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, dedicating the evening to honoring the late star, according to Global News.
Upcoming Estate Projects and DollyFest Plans
In place of a traditional memorial service, Parton’s estate announced plans for DollyFest, a two-weekend festival scheduled to take place in Nashville and London next year. Manager Danny Nozell explained in a press release reported by The Guardian that Parton had initially planned the event for January 2026 to coincide with her 80th birthday before stepping back due to health issues.
According to The Guardian, Parton’s team confirmed that her extensive slate of upcoming commercial and creative projects will continue. Scheduled releases include the opening of Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville next month, followed by Dolly Dolls, a line of dog treats, coffee grounds, a home decor collection, and a Broadway musical slated for New York later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Dolly Parton buried?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Dolly Parton was interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville beside her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Where should fans send memorial donations?
Global News reports that the family has asked for memorial contributions to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
What projects are still being released by Parton’s estate?
The Guardian notes that upcoming releases include the SongTeller Hotel, the Life of Many Colors Museum, a line of coffee grounds, home decor, Dolly Dolls, dog treats, and a Broadway musical.
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