Dolly Parton Will Not Have A Public Memorial Service – Her Manager Explains The Reason Why
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Dolly Parton‘s niece, Lainey, confirmed she was laid to rest on August 28, three days after her death at the age of 80. Her final resting place is next to her beloved husband, Carl Dean (who died in 2025), in the mausoleum at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park.
When Dolly’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing on August 25, he shared his aunt’s wish “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.”
Dolly also made it clear which song she’d like played at her funeral, an old country-gospel song titled “If We Never Meet Again.” They performed that song at her father’s funeral in 2000, and she wanted it played at hers.
Dolly also expressed her desire to have a private funeral service, with only her immediate family in attendance. Fans had been wondering if a larger, public memorial would be held at a later date, as has been the case for other major figures in country music who’ve passed away, such as Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, and Tammy Wynette.
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However, Dolly’s manager, Danny Nozell, has now confirmed that there will not be a public memorial service and explained why.
“We are not discouraging people from celebrating Dolly in the ways they choose,” Nozell said in a press release. “However, as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted.”
Instead, Dolly will be honored at a different kind of event: a two-city festival called Dollyfest.
What Do We Know About The Dolly Parton-Themed Festival Dollyfest?
On August 31, Dolly Parton’s estate announced that Dollyfest will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, and London, England, in 2027.
This event was originally planned in coordination with Dolly’s 80th birthday in January 2026. She intended to host and perform at the festival. But when her health forced her to take a step back from public appearances in August 2025, the plans for Dollyfest were put on pause.
Now, Danny Nozell and the rest of Dolly’s team are determined to make Dollyfest a reality after her passing.
Nozell acknowledges that many tributes will be held in Dolly’s honor throughout the remainder of the year. In place of a public memorial service, it felt best to let those tributes “occur naturally,” while Dolly’s team devotes their energy to Dollyfest.
“This is something that is authentic to her, something that feels right to me, and something that artists and fans around the world can participate in, while also giving everyone time to grieve, and giving everyone time to plan,” Nozell said.
More details concerning the festival dates and tickets will be released at a later date. You can sign up on Dolly’s official website to get updates on Dollyfest whenever they arrive.
