Dolly Parton's Funeral Song Revealed: A Gospel Choice

The family of music legend Dolly Parton has announced plans for a small, private funeral service to be held in Nashville following her peaceful death at the age of 80. The acclaimed singer-songwriter, known for hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Parton's family shared that she requested the old country-gospel song "If We Never Meet Again (This Side Of Heaven)" be played at her service, a hymn cherished by her late father. This song, written by Albert E Brumley, speaks of meeting on a "beautiful shore" where "separations come no more."

In lieu of flowers, Parton's family has requested that tributes be made through donations to her Imagination Library. Founded in 1995, the program has gifted over 270 million free books to children from birth to age five, inspired by her father's inability to read or write. The program has a significant reach, with one in seven children under five in the US receiving a monthly book in 2024.

Dolly Parton's remarkable career spanned over six decades, during which she sold more than 100 million records worldwide and penned over 3,000 songs. Beyond her musical achievements, she was a successful businesswoman and a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charities and famously donating $1 million to coronavirus research in 2020.