Dolly Parton has been laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, following a private family funeral in Nashville.
The country music icon died on Tuesday, August 25, aged 80, after what her publicist described as a brief battle with cancer. She died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/87156f3e6a1547b88bf414529b644ad3))
Her funeral was held three days later at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where Dean was buried after his death in March 2025, aged 82.
The service was kept private, in line with plans for an intimate gathering for close family. Nashville television station WSMV had previously reported that Parton would be buried beside Dean at the cemetery. ([wsmv.com](https://www.wsmv.com/2026/08/26/dolly-parton-be-laid-rest-beside-husband-carl-dean-nashville/))
Parton’s niece, Lainey Parton, confirmed the burial in an emotional tribute on social media, saying she had waited until after her grandmother had been laid to rest before putting her grief into words.
She recalled how the singer had encouraged her from childhood and supported her ambitions, including financially helping her attend beauty school and begin her career.
“She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there,” Lainey wrote.
Lainey also remembered being invited to sing with Parton on the Smoky Mountain DNA album while she was still at school. She said her aunt had made her feel “safe, confident, and like I belonged right there beside her”.
In her tribute, Lainey said she would miss Parton’s voice, laugh and hugs, as well as the late-night telephone calls they shared.
“I’m even going to miss those 4am calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” she wrote.
