Years before her death at 80, Dolly Parton had already selected the song she wished to be played at her funeral. The country music icon had chosen an old country-gospel church song titled "If We Never Meet Again."
Parton had discussed her funeral song choice in a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, explaining that while "I Will Always Love You" might seem a logical choice, she envisioned a different tune. She noted that her own song, "I Will Always Love You," gained significant emotional weight for her after hearing Whitney Houston's rendition played at Houston's funeral in 2012. Parton recalled the profound impact of hearing the song during that somber occasion, stating, "When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, 'Oh my Lord.' That’s when it hit me that she was really gone."
However, Parton's personal preference for her own funeral was "If We Never Meet Again," a song by Southern Gospel songwriter Albert E. Brumley. She described it as an old church song with lyrics that speak of meeting on a "beautiful shore" if not on this side of heaven, where "separations come no more." Parton shared that this particular song was her father's favorite and was sung at his funeral in 2000. "We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine," she stated.
Parton died peacefully at her home in Nashville. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing. A small, private funeral service is planned for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
News of Parton's death also brought confirmation that her Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," will proceed as planned. The show is set to begin previews on December 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City, with an official opening on January 19, which would have been her 81st birthday. Parton wrote the music and book for the musical, which chronicles her life from her childhood in the Smoky Mountains to her rise to stardom. The show had a successful run in Nashville before its Broadway engagement. Producers have noted that the musical may not be appropriate for children under eight.
Parton, a recipient of numerous accolades including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, was known for her extensive career, selling over 100 million records worldwide. She had previously canceled a Las Vegas residency due to health issues, specifically kidney stones and digestive problems, but had expressed optimism about her recovery.