Dolly Parton was laid to relaxation on August 28, following her passing on the twenty fifth. Now, a number of days later, the cousin of the late nation music icon is opening up about her burial ceremony, revealing that it wasn’t a funeral within the conventional sense, and discussing the personal well being battle that led to her loss of life at 80.
Parton’s first cousin, Richie Owens, appeared on “Today” on September 3 to debate the icon’s legacy and share particulars about her burial. First, he pushed again in opposition to those that have referred to as the event a funeral.
In keeping with Owens, “The phrase retains getting introduced up, ‘funeral,’ and I don’t imagine that was actually the case on this scenario. It was a burial, to be buried beside her husband. And she or he wished it very small, and some relations have been there.”
He then stated, “Different those who I’m positive would’ve favored to have been there have been both out doing different issues and stuff. It was very quiet, in a short time achieved, and never for any unhealthy causes in anyway; it’s simply that’s what she wished. She wished to maintain it very, very personal.”
From there, Owens additionally acknowledged that Parton would have most popular assets that may have been used for a standard funeral be put towards another worthy trigger.
He defined, “That’s precisely what she stated … when that occurs to her, when she passes, she would a lot fairly see individuals take that $50 you need to spend on flowers and provides it to her Creativeness Library.”
Dolly’s Cousin Additionally Shed Gentle On Her Personal Well being Struggles
Owens, who additionally serves because the Parton household historian, mentioned her well being main as much as her loss of life within the “Right now” interview. Notably, the information got here after her loss of life that the county music legend had endured a non-public battle with most cancers.
He acknowledged, “She, in fact, posted herself that she had been going by means of well being issues, however nobody actually knew what quite a lot of that was, together with myself.”
From there, Owens shared why Parton wasn’t fully forthcoming about her well being. In keeping with him, “She at all times saved issues personal as a result of she at all times wished to maintain everyone being optimistic round her and put that on the market on the earth. Simply, ‘Don’t fear about me, I’m going to be high quality.’ Simply present the love.”
The Singer Gave A Well being Replace Earlier than Her Passing
Parton spoke to PEOPLE in late August 2026 about her upcoming SongTeller Resort in Nashville, which is ready to open in September. Nonetheless, through the dialog, she was additionally requested about her well being, which had led her to cancel quite a few appearances within the months earlier than she handed.
The late singer and actress stated, “I’m coping with some well being points that I simply didn’t take note of after I was watching over Carl.” Notably, her husband, Carl Dean, handed away in March 2025.
She continued, “It’s not like I haven’t been by means of exhausting instances with my well being. However I feel as a result of we dwell in a 24/7 world with social media, the whole lot will get magnified in methods it wasn’t years in the past.”
Parton went on, “I used to joke that I used to be the Queen of the Tabloids, however now I suppose I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Critically, although, regardless that I’m nonetheless healin’, I’m nonetheless workin’.”
Extra Particulars Have Emerged About Dolly Parton’s Well being
Following Parton’s passing, her representatives confirmed that the singer had been affected by most cancers. Nonetheless, they didn’t disclose the kind of most cancers or the stage. They stated in a press release, per the LA Times, “After bravely dealing with a short battle with most cancers, Dolly departed her Earthly life right this moment on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Most cancers Middle surrounded by family members.”
Additonally, the world discovered that the “Jolene” singer had been impacted by kidney and autoimmune points earlier than her loss of life.
Dolly’s Niece Additionally Opened Up About Her Loss of life
In additon to Owens talking out about Parton following her passing, her niece, Jada Star, can also be opening up. Concerning the singer now offering full particulars of her well being, she echoed Owens’s sentiments.
She acknowledged to ExtraTV, “She by no means wished to fear anyone. So I feel it was only a shock.” From there, she referred to as coping with the loss of life of Parton “actually tough.”
Nonetheless, Star continued, “All of those tributes have helped a lot to assist us all by means of it. I can’t bear in mind a life with out her. She would additionally inform us to begin drying it up and begin making an attempt to get again to work and love one another actual exhausting. She was simply a visit.”
