All about the unexpected gospel track Dolly Parton chose as her funeral song
All about the unexpected gospel track Dolly Parton chose as her funeral song
Ayeesha WalshSun, August 30, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC
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Dolly reportedly chose a gospel song for her funeral -Credit:GETTY
Dolly Parton may be one of the biggest stars in music history, but her choice of funeral song is a touching reminder of her humble roots.
The country legend has reportedly chosen a classic gospel hymn, rather than one of her own famous songs, to be played at her funeral. The song, If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven), is a moving gospel favorite recorded by country greats, including Jerry Lee Lewis, the Chuck Wagon Gang, and the Brown’s Ferry Four.
The lyrics — “if we never meet again, this side of heaven, I’ll meet you on that beautiful shore” — are likely to have a deeply personal meaning for Dolly, bringing memories of her late husband and parents to mind. But the choice also reflects something much bigger about the singer and the role she has played in American culture. It comes as a book of condolence has been opened at Dolly's final resting place.
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The hymn was written by Albert Brumley, who was born in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation area and went on to become one of the best-known composers of white gospel music.
His songs, however, crossed racial and cultural boundaries. His famous hymn I’ll Fly Away became hugely popular with Black gospel groups, including the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, the Pilgrim Jubilees, and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80, after a short battle with cancer -Credit:Chris Walter, WireImagevia Getty Images
The song was even recorded as a duet by Aretha Franklin and Jesse Jackson. “When the shadows of this life have gone away, I’ll fly away, like a bird from prison bars has flown, I’ll fly away.”
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Dolly herself has performed I’ll Fly Away in concert, with audiences rising to their feet and joining in with the gospel celebration. Her music has long crossed cultural boundaries.
Whitney Houston, who grew up in the Black church, famously recorded Dolly’s I Will Always Love You. When Houston won the 1994 Grammy for the song, it was Dolly who presented her with the award.
Dolly was laid to rest beside her late husband Carl Dean -Credit:Getty
Dolly’s family held a private funeral for the music icon on Friday, August 28, with her niece confirming the singer had been laid to rest before sharing an emotional tribute. Lainey Mae Parton wrote Saturday that she waited until after the service to reflect on her aunt’s death. Parton was affectionately known as Aunt Granny within the family.
"This is a really hard post for me to make," Lainey wrote on Instagram alongside family photographs. "I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words."
She said Dolly always encouraged relatives to pursue their own ambitions throughout life. "She always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something," Lainey wrote.
A book of condolence has now opened for fans to pay tribute to Dolly -Credit:Michael Putland, Getty Images
"She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself," she added. "Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her."
Lainey reflected on Dolly's close relationship with her nieces and nephews. The singer did not have children of her own and, according to her niece, treated the younger members of the family as if they were hers.
Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, following a short battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. She requested a low-key funeral service, which her nephew, Bryan Seaver, arranged.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
