Dolly Parton has been laid to rest in a private Nashville ceremony.
The immediate family of the country music superstar gathered at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday morning to pay tribute in a small funeral service for Parton, who died Tuesday after “bravely facing a brief battle with cancer.”
Parton was buried alongside to her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. A bronze crypt plaque affixed to the mausoleum bears Parton’s name beside her husband’s, along with a depiction of her Tennessee home and their wedding date.
Parton’s great-niece Lainey Parton shared an emotional tribute the day following the funeral, writing, “I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.”
“From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough,” she continued. “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.”
“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.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything.”
Parton had faced various health challenges over the past two years. In a recent update to People, she said she was still “dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” referring to caring for her late husband Carl Thomas Dean.
Last spring, Parton postponed and later canceled her Las Vegas residency and said she still had a long road ahead before she could return to performing.
At the time, Parton told fans she was responding well to medication and treatment but said the process had left her feeling “a little swimmy-headed.”
Parton’s death was confirmed Tuesday by her nephew, Brian Seaver, who shared the news with an Instagram video.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” reads the family’s official obituary.
The obituary continues, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Parton worked up until the end of her life. Last week, her team confirmed that all the projects she was working on would still be brought to life, including a Broadway musical, a home decor collection and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum.
“Dolly worked up until the day she died,” Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, in a press release. “As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life.”
Fans can celebrate at DollyFest
The Dolly Parton estate announced Monday an upcoming event for fans to honor her legacy.
“DollyFest: The Celebration of a Lifetime,” a two-day music festival Parton planned before her death, is set to be held in Nashville and London across two consecutive weekends in 2027.
According to a press release, the festival was originally intended to take place in January 2026 — around Parton’s 80th birthday — and would feature her as a performer and host. It will now serve as a “global ... party of a lifetime” to celebrate her legacy.
“We had the venue booked and we had the announcement ready to go. And then, in August 2025, Dolly had to take a step back after her initial health challenges. A lot of people always say, WWDD (What Would Dolly Do?), and, well, at this moment, Dollyfest is WDWD (What Dolly Would Do!),” organizer Danny Nozell, founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, said in a statement.
“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.”
How the world continues to pay tribute to Parton
As news spread of Parton’s death, fans across the world — who remember the “Queen of Country” for her kindness, brilliant performances, philanthropic efforts and lasting impact on country music — paid tribute to the singer.
Fans flocked to Dollywood to lay flowers, handwritten letters and butterfly decorations at the theme park’s temporary memorial. Mourners also gathered at Parton’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and outside the gates of her Nashville home to leave flowers and tearful messages.
There were also vigils, singalongs, tribute performances and a sold-out memorial concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Here is how fans and organizations across the world have paid tribute to Parton.
Tennessee airport to be renamed after Parton
More than 170,000 people, including singer Sheryl Crow among hordes of fans, have signed an online petition to re-name the Nashville International Airport after Parton, who was born in rural Tennessee and later moved to Nashville.
Now Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is backing the effort, announcing plans to name the airport after the country singer in honor of her “enduring legacy” and “immeasurable impact on Tennessee.”
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement.
“From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her,” he continued. “At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
Empire State Building sparkles pink
New York City’s Empire State Building was lit up with a dazzling pink sparkle at 9:25 pm on Tuesday night — a direct tribute to Parton’s hit song and movie “9 to 5.”
“Dolly was a global cultural icon whose seven-decade career reached generations of fans,” read a statement from the Empire State Building.
“Beyond entertainment, Dolly leaves a significant philanthropic legacy through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of books to children worldwide. At Nine-Two-Five tonight, we celebrate her and her legacy.”
American flags lowered to half-staff
President Donald Trump ordered all American flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities for a weeklong period in honor of Parton.
“This is a true loss for millions of people,” wrote President Donald Trump. “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
Buckingham Palace plays ‘9 to 5′
The Royal Family also paid tribute to Parton with a rendition of her hit “9 to 5,″ played at the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday morning.
“Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many - including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library. We will always (love) you,” the Royal Family shared in a statement.
Tennessee football adds season-long tribute sticker
The University of Tennessee football team will pay tribute to Parton by placing a commemorative orange butterfly sticker on the back of players’ helmets throughout the 2026 season.
“All that she’s meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee,” coach Josh Heupel told reporters, per ESPN.
He added, “A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too.”
Parton had close ties to the University of Tennessee. She delivered the university’s commencement address in 2009 and received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. She also performed on campus in 2011 and 2014.
Concert tributes to Parton
A string of musicians paid tribute to Parton in concerts last week, including Harry Styles, John Mayer, Ella Langley and Jelly Roll, as well as Noah Kahan during his Tuesday concert in Sandy, Utah.
Styles led an emotional tribute to the singer at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night during his 30-concert residency in New York City, taking a moment of silence and playing Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” over the sound system.
“I just want to say a proper thank you to all the musicians over the years who have inspired me. Dolly, we love you. Thank you so much,” Styles said, per Variety.