Dolly Parton Will Be Buried Beside Her Late Husband Carl Dean, Nephew Confirms

The country legend's family is making sure her last request is honored to the letter, from her burial site down to what she'll be wearing.

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, will be buried in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, resting alongside her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.

Dolly Parton attends the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed the burial plans to TMZ, revealing that Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, is already interred there.

Seaver also shared a personal detail about his aunt's final farewell: she will be laid to rest in her signature high heels, paired with a comfortable cotton dress. Seaver was the one who first broke the news of Parton's passing, sharing a heartfelt video across her social media accounts.

Dolly Parton poses for a photo for "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas" in 2022. | Source: Getty Images

"My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I'm representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next," Seaver began.

"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it until now."

Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs In Symphony World Premiere at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Seaver recalled joining Parton on tour as a young man, having experienced life on the road with her as far back as the early 1980s.

He credited his aunt with opening doors not just for him, but for their entire family, helping them accomplish things they never thought possible. He then shared a touching detail about her final wishes, recounting a conversation that reflected her trademark humor and humility, even in her last days:

Judging by the details Seaver shared about the funeral arrangements, it's clear the family is committed to honoring Parton's wishes to the fullest.

Just days before her passing, on Friday, August 21, Parton had been admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She had spent the past year managing ongoing kidney and autoimmune issues.

Dolly Parton attends We Are Family Foundation honors Dolly Parton & Jean Paul Gaultier at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 5, 2019 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

That same day, she issued a health update, admitting that her condition had steadily worsened. "As I've shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl," she told People.

"You know, this isn't the first time I've had to manage something like this. Back in the early '80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it's not like I haven't been through hard times with my health," she continued.

Dolly Parton poses for a portrait session in 1978 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Even while undergoing treatment, Parton remained determined to keep working and accomplish more.

"Even though I'm still healin', I'm still workin'!" Parton said. "You know me — as I've often said — I've dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I'm gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life."