Dolly Parton had already thought about the music she wanted played at her funeral long before her death at 80, revealing the deeply personal reason behind her choice.
In a 2014 interview, Parton said she expected her famous song “I Will Always Love You” would likely be played, but she had another song specifically in mind for her funeral.
Her personal choice was the gospel hymn “If We Never Meet Again,” a song that held a special place in her family history.
Parton explained that the song had been one of her father Lee Parton’s favorites and had been performed at his funeral in 2000. She said she wanted the same song to be part of her own farewell.
The choice reflected the importance of family and faith throughout Parton’s life, despite the enormous success she achieved as a country music superstar.
But Parton had also made plans that would allow her music to reach people long after her death. One of those plans involved an unreleased song titled “My Place in History.”
The song was recorded in 2015 and placed inside a sealed “Dream Box” at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. The box is scheduled to be opened on January 19, 2046—what would have been Parton’s 100th birthday.
Parton even thought about the technology needed to play the recording decades later, leaving equipment alongside the song in anticipation of changing technology.
The decision means fans have a unique musical moment to look forward to nearly two decades from now, when the unreleased recording is finally scheduled to be heard.
Even after her death, Parton’s careful planning ensures that her voice and songwriting will continue to create new moments for future generations.
**Compiled from various sources.**
