Dolly Parton became the voice behind some of the most beloved songs in music history. Many of those songs were written by Dolly herself, including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Wildflowers,” and the unforgettable “I Will Always Love You.”
Over the years, countless artists have honored Dolly by performing her songs, including the late Whitney Houston, whose iconic version of “I Will Always Love You” became a worldwide phenomenon.
But when Dolly Parton thought about her own funeral, she had a very different song in mind.
Years before her death on August 25, 2026, Dolly revealed the song she wanted played at her funeral — and surprisingly, it wasn’t one of her own.
During a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dolly acknowledged that “I Will Always Love You” would probably be heard frequently after her death. She was right, as fans around the world have continued to remember her through the song.
However, Dolly had personally chosen another piece of music for her own funeral: “If We Never Meet Again.”
The song, also known as “If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven),” was written by Albert E. Brumley in the 1940s. Over the decades, it has been recorded or performed by numerous well-known artists, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Ricky Van Shelton.
Although Dolly never released a studio recording of the song, she performed it live.
The reason she chose it was deeply personal.
During her conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Dolly explained that the song had a special connection to her late father, Robert Lee Parton.
“That was my daddy’s favorite. We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”
Robert Lee Parton died in 2000, while Dolly’s mother, Avie Lee, passed away in 2003. Dolly was also preceded in death by her husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.
For Dolly, “If We Never Meet Again” was therefore much more than simply a traditional gospel song. It was connected to her childhood, her family, and the memory of her father.
Dolly Parton’s Funeral Wishes
Dolly had also spoken about how she wanted her final farewell to be handled.
According to a statement from her team, Dolly wished to have a small and private funeral service, with only her immediate family members in attendance. It is not yet known whether a larger public memorial will be held at a later date.
After announcing Dolly’s passing, her nephew Bryan Seaver also shared one of her more personal wishes in a video posted to her social media accounts.
He recalled that Dolly had once told him she wanted to be laid to rest comfortably, saying:
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
The detail offers an intimate glimpse into the woman behind the rhinestones, stage costumes, hit records, and worldwide fame.
Dolly Parton spent decades entertaining millions of people, but when she imagined her final goodbye, she chose something deeply rooted in family and faith.
Rather than selecting one of the songs that made her famous, she wanted the music that reminded her of her father and the funeral where her family had once gathered to say goodbye.
“If We Never Meet Again” was never one of Dolly’s biggest hits, but to her, it carried something far more meaningful: a memory of home, family, and the people she loved most.