Dolly Parton's Niece Confirms Country Icon Has Been Laid to Rest: 'Really Hard'

Dolly Parton's niece Lainey Parton confirmed the country music icon's funeral took place after her death at age 80.

"This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words," Lainey captioned a tribute post dedicated to the "Jolene" singer on Saturday, August 29.

"Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her," she continued. "Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that."

Though Lainey didn't reveal more details about what was expected to be a "small, private" ceremony for the singer's immediate family, she added, "It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 a.m. calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again."

As OK! previously reported, the "9 to 5" singer died after a brief battle with cancer on August 25.

TMZ reported that Dolly was hospitalized with "kidney and autoimmune issues" five days before her death on August 20.

She was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where she later passed away surrounded by her loved ones.

The singer's nephew revealed one of her final wishes for her funeral while announcing her death.

"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," Bryan Seaver, the son of Dolly's sister Cassie Parton, said in a video shared on Tuesday, August 25.

Dolly's family members were spotted at her burial site at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, August 28, according to a report from Page Six.

“Bryan [Seaver, Parton’s nephew and head of security] was in charge of arrangements,” the source told the outlet, adding that “it was a very simple ceremony” because “that’s all Dolly wanted.”

Dolly was laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82. The couple was married for 58 years.