Why Dolly Parton will be buried in her signature high heels
By Valerian Khakayi, August 26, 2026Dolly Parton will be laid to rest in a way that reflects the distinctive style she became known for throughout her decades-long career.
The country music icon will be buried wearing her signature high heels and a comfortable cotton dress, according to details shared by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver.
Parton will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, where Dean was buried following his death in March 2025.
Dolly Parton’s final wishes
According to reports, Parton had made specific requests about how she wanted to be laid to rest.
Among them was a request to be buried on what her nephew described as a “beautiful bed of plush cotton”, while wearing the high heels that became one of the most recognisable elements of her appearance.
The choice of high heels is particularly fitting for the singer, who embraced her glamorous image throughout her career. Her towering hairstyles, sparkling outfits and high-heeled shoes became synonymous with her public persona.
Parton’s decision means that even in her final farewell, an important part of her signature style will remain with her.
Where will she be buried?
Parton’s final resting place will also reunite her with Dean, her husband of nearly six decades.
TMZ reported that Parton will be buried in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where Dean is already laid to rest.
The couple married in 1966 and maintained a famously private relationship despite Parton’s life in the public eye.
Private funeral
Parton’s family has also revealed that a small, private funeral service for her immediate family will be held in accordance with her wishes.
Fans around the world have instead been encouraged to pay tribute to the singer through social media or by leaving messages on her official website.
“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” the statement reads.
The family has also asked mourners to make donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library instead of sending flowers, continuing the legacy of the programme she established to provide books to young children.
Parton died at the age of 80 on August 25, 2026, leaving behind a career spanning music, film, business and philanthropy.
Her choice to be buried in her signature high heels offers one final reflection of the larger-than-life personality that made her one of the most recognisable figures in country music.