Dolly Parton had once spoken openly about what music she wanted to hear at her own funeral, and her choice was deeply connected to her family. The country music legend, who died at 80 on August 25, had revealed in a 2014 interview that while many people might expect her famous song “I Will Always Love You” to be played after her death, she had another song in mind.
Parton said she believed “I Will Always Love You” would probably be played at her funeral. The song became one of the most famous recordings in music history after Whitney Houston performed it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard. Parton had also heard the song at Houston’s funeral in 2012, an experience that made the singer’s death feel real to her.
However, Parton said there was another song she personally wanted her loved ones to sing when she was gone. It was “If We Never Meet Again,” an old country gospel song about saying goodbye to loved ones and hoping to meet them again in heaven.
Parton explained that the song had a special meaning in her family because it was her father Lee Parton’s favorite. The family had sung it at his funeral after his death in November 2000. Because of that connection, Parton wanted the same song to be part of her own farewell.
“That was my daddy’s favorite,” Parton said. “We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”
Parton died on August 25, according to an announcement from her nephew Bryan Seaver. In an emotional Instagram video, Seaver said Parton had asked him years earlier to make the announcement when the time came. He also remembered how she had influenced generations of singers, musicians, songwriters and artists around the world.
Parton had faced a difficult period before her death. Her husband Carl Dean died in March 2025 after the couple had been married since 1966. In the months following his death, Parton spoke about her grief and said she had also been dealing with health problems.
In an August 21 interview with PEOPLE, she said she had been focusing on her health but remained determined to continue working. “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” Parton said.
Her career began with the 1967 album Hello, I’m Dolly and went on to span more than six decades. She became famous for songs such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” while also finding success in movies, television, business and philanthropy.
“I Will Always Love You” remained especially important to Parton. She wrote the song while leaving The Porter Wagoner Show, and Whitney Houston’s version later turned it into a worldwide phenomenon.
Parton also spent years planning for a future beyond her lifetime. She once said she wanted to create things that could continue even after she was gone. Her music, charitable work and lasting influence have ensured that her dreams will continue to reach future generations.
