Dolly Parton Wished to Be Laid to Rest in a ‘Beautiful Bed of Plush Cotton’ Before Cancer Battle, Death

Dolly Parton had one final request before her death at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

The country icon’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, revealed the poignant detail in the Instagram video announcing her death on Tuesday, August 25. “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” Seaver said.

Seaver also told TMZ that the “Jolene” singer will be laid to rest in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.

While comfort was important to Parton, she’ll reportedly still have a touch of her signature glamour. The outlet reported that the country legend will be buried in her trademark high heels along with a comfortable cotton dress.

Meanwhile, Parton’s official X account shared details of the singer’s funeral arrangements, revealing that the service will be kept intimate.

“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” the statement read. “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 on dollyparton.com.

In lieu of flowers, Parton’s family asked that donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

More details about the singer’s final days have also emerged. TMZ reported that Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday, August 21, while dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues. She died Tuesday morning, according to the outlet. In a statement by Dolly’s management and publicist, via People, they confirmed she died following a “brief battle with cancer.” However, they did not specify what type of cancer Parton had.

Parton had previously opened up about her recent health struggles to People, revealing that she had neglected some of her own health concerns while caring for Dean before his death.

The singer had also stepped back from performing to focus on her health. In an Instagram Reel shared in May, Parton addressed issues with kidney stones and announced that her rescheduled Las Vegas residency would not go ahead.