Dolly Parton Once Shared the Song She Hoped Would Be Played at Her Final Farewell

Dolly Parton’s family has reportedly planned a small, private funeral for the country music legend, keeping the farewell focused on her immediate family and loved ones. While details surrounding the service are expected to remain private, one deeply personal part of Parton’s wishes has been known for years: the song she hoped would be played when her own life came to an end.

Long before her death, Parton spoke openly about the music she would want associated with her final farewell. During a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she reflected on Whitney Houston’s passing and explained that she expected “I Will Always Love You” to be played because of the song’s powerful connection to Houston’s memory. Parton wrote the song decades earlier, and Houston later turned it into one of the most recognized recordings in popular music.

However, Parton also revealed that another song held a much more personal meaning for her. She mentioned the traditional country-gospel hymn “If We Never Meet Again,” a song centered on the hope of meeting loved ones again beyond this life. Parton explained that the song had a special place in her family because it was sung at the funeral of her father, Robert Parton Sr., who died in 2000.

“That was my daddy’s favorite,” Parton said during the interview. She added that because the song had been part of her father’s funeral, she would like it to be sung at hers as well. The choice reflected the importance of family and memories in Parton’s life, rather than simply highlighting one of her many famous recordings.

Parton’s legacy, of course, reaches far beyond the songs that made her a household name. Raised in rural Tennessee in a large family, she grew up with limited resources but developed a passion for music and performing at an early age. Her childhood experiences later became an important part of the stories she shared with audiences around the world.

As her career grew, Parton used her success to support education, literacy, healthcare and community relief. Through the Dollywood Foundation, she helped establish the Imagination Library, a program that provides books to young children.

Her generosity also extended to disaster relief and medical research. She supported families affected by devastating wildfires in Tennessee and contributed to healthcare and research initiatives through major donations.

For many people, that combination of music, family and generosity became an important part of Parton’s lasting legacy. Her career included unforgettable songs such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” but her influence was never limited to entertainment.

That is why the funeral song she chose years ago carries such emotional significance. “If We Never Meet Again” was not simply a song she liked. It was connected to her father, her family and a deeply personal memory. If it is included in her final farewell, it would bring her story full circle in a quiet and meaningful way. For family, it would be a simple farewell filled with love and remembrance.