Dolly Parton’s family has announced plans for a small, private funeral following the country music icon’s death at age 80.
The singer’s family shared the news in a statement posted to her Instagram page on Monday, confirming that Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee. The statement, which described her as “Global icon and humanitarian,” noted that she was known to the world as “a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author.”
“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” the family wrote on Instagram. “Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message.”
The family also asked for donations to be made to her Imagination Library, the charity she founded that has gifted more than 304.5 million books to children in need since its launch in 1995.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing in a video shared to her Instagram page, delivering an emotional tribute to his aunt’s life and legacy.
“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t really felt it until now,” Seaver said in the video. “It is an honor, an honor that is mixes with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
The family’s statement paid tribute to Parton’s enduring influence beyond music. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” they wrote on Instagram.
The statement continued: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.”
Seaver spoke about the doors his aunt opened for their family and for countless others in the entertainment industry. “Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible,” he said in the video announcement. “Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent.”
He added: “By her example we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
In her final interview, published just days before her death, Parton, 80, spoke about setting her own health concerns aside to care for her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she told the magazine.
The interview also captured her characteristic humor about her place in popular culture. “I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI!” she said. “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
Seaver concluded the announcement with a final blessing for his aunt and her fans. “May god bless Dolly Parton, and may god bless you all,” he said. “She will always love you.”
Parton’s philanthropic work spanned decades and touched numerous causes. She founded the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired by her father, who was unable to read. She donated $1 million to coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University, which helped fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, and gave another $1 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in 2017 in honor of her niece, who was treated for leukemia there. She made an additional $1 million donation to the same hospital in 2022 for pediatric infectious disease research.
The family has not announced a date for the private service.