Dolly Parton had thought carefully about her final farewell years before her death, even deciding which song she wanted to be part of her funeral service.
The country music legend’s choice was not the song many fans might have expected. Instead, she selected the country-gospel hymn “If We Never Meet Again,” a song with a deeply personal connection to her family.
Parton revealed her wish during a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, explaining that the hymn had been one of her father Lee Parton’s favorite songs.
The song had already played an important role in the family’s history. Parton said it was performed at her father’s funeral in 2000, making her decision to choose it for her own farewell especially meaningful.
Rather than choosing one of her biggest hits, Parton wanted a song that connected her final farewell to her family, her childhood and her faith.
Her representatives have also confirmed that Parton wanted a small, private funeral attended by immediate family members rather than a large public ceremony.
Her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, additionally revealed that Parton had requested to be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton,” reflecting one of the many personal details she had considered beforehand.
The singer’s careful planning did not stop with her funeral. She also left behind an unreleased song called “My Place in History,” recorded in 2015 and sealed inside a box at Dollywood until January 19, 2046—what would have been her 100th birthday.
That remarkable musical time capsule means Parton’s voice is expected to reach fans again decades after her death, adding another extraordinary chapter to her already remarkable legacy.
For a performer who spent her life turning personal experiences into music, her final wishes offer one more intimate glimpse into the woman behind the worldwide fame.
**Compiled from various sources.**
