Dolly Parton laid to rest in a private family funeral in Nashville on Friday, days after the legendary country music singer died at the age of 80.
The music icon was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she was laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean.
Parton’s great-niece, Lainey Parton, shared an emotional tribute a day after the burial, saying she was still struggling to accept that the beloved singer was gone.
“It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there,” Lainey wrote.
Dolly Parton Laid to Rest Beside Husband Carl Dean
The private funeral was attended by family members as Parton was laid to rest next to Dean, who died previously.
Lainey described her late relative as “granny” and spoke about the special relationship they shared.
She said Parton made members of the family feel as though they were her own children, despite not having children herself.
“Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that,” Lainey said.
She also remembered how Parton encouraged her dreams from childhood and gave her the confidence to pursue them.
“From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself,” she added.
Lainey said Parton also supported her through beauty school, helping her turn her ambitions into reality.
“She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there,” she said.
Family Remembers Dolly Parton’s Kindness
Lainey thanked people who had sent messages and flowers following Parton’s death, saying she felt privileged to have known the singer as her grandmother.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny,” she wrote.
She added: “Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”
An obituary published by Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum also paid tribute to Parton, remembering not only her music and songwriting but also her warmth, humour and generosity.
The tribute described her legacy as one of love, kindness and resilience, highlighting a seven-decade career that influenced generations of musicians and fans.
The family has asked mourners to consider donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library instead of sending flowers. The initiative provides free books to young children.
Grand Ole Opry Hosts Dolly Parton Tribute
While Dolly Parton laid to rest in a private ceremony, public tributes continued in Nashville on Saturday with a special concert at the Grand Ole Opry House.
One of Parton’s nieces, Jada Star, performed “The Orchard”, a song she recorded with her aunt in 2024 for the album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Before taking the stage, Star said she was overwhelmed by grief but understood the importance of honouring her aunt.
“I am walking around in a fog of sadness, like all of you have,” she wrote.
Country music star Jelly Roll later made a surprise appearance during the concert’s finale, joining other performers for a group rendition of Parton’s iconic hit “9 to 5”.
Carly Pearce was also among the performers at the tribute. Pearce previously worked as a performer at Parton’s Dollywood theme park before becoming an award-winning country singer.
Miley Cyrus Pays Tribute to Her Godmother
Among the many stars mourning Parton is Miley Cyrus, who had a particularly close relationship with the country music legend.
Parton was Cyrus’ godmother and had played an important role in the younger singer’s life and career over the years.
Tributes have continued to pour in from fans, musicians and public figures following Parton’s death.
Meanwhile, Tennessee officials have announced plans to name Nashville International Airport after the late singer, underscoring her lasting impact on the state and the city closely associated with her career.
In the UK, Parton’s classic song “9 to 5” also experienced a surge in streams following her death and initially appeared to be heading towards the top of the singles chart.
Although streaming figures later declined, the renewed interest highlighted the enduring appeal of Parton’s music.
From her seven-decade musical career to her philanthropy and work supporting children, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond country music.