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 non-public 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 response to Owens, “The phrase retains getting introduced up, ‘funeral,’ and I don’t consider that was actually the case on this scenario. It was a burial, to be buried beside her husband. And he or she wished it very small, and some members of the family have been there.”
He then mentioned, “Different folks that I’m positive would’ve preferred to have been there have been both out doing different issues and stuff. It was very quiet, in a short time finished, and never for any dangerous causes in any respect; it’s simply that’s what she wished. She wished to maintain it very, very non-public.”
From there, Owens additionally acknowledged that Parton would have most popular sources that might have been used for a standard funeral be put towards another worthy trigger.
He defined, “That’s precisely what she mentioned … when that occurs to her, when she passes, she would a lot reasonably see folks take that $50 you need to spend on flowers and provides it to her Creativeness Library.”
Dolly’s Cousin Additionally Shed Mild On Her Non-public 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 “In the present day” interview. Notably, the information got here after her loss of life that the county music legend had endured a personal battle with most cancers.
He acknowledged, “She, after all, posted herself that she had been going by well being issues, however nobody actually knew what a number of that was, together with myself.”
From there, Owens shared why Parton wasn’t fully forthcoming about her well being. In response to him, “She at all times saved issues non-public as a result of she at all times wished to maintain all people being optimistic round her and put that on the market on this planet. 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 about to open in September. Nevertheless, in the course of the dialog, she was additionally requested about her well being, which had led her to cancel numerous appearances within the months earlier than she handed.
The late singer and actress mentioned, “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 exhausting instances with my well being. However I believe as a result of we reside in a 24/7 world with social media, all the things 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 assume I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Significantly, although, though 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. Nevertheless, they didn’t disclose the kind of most cancers or the stage. They mentioned in an announcement, per the LA Times, “After bravely dealing with a quick battle with most cancers, Dolly departed her Earthly life at this time on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Most cancers Heart 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 believe it was only a shock.” From there, she referred to as coping with the loss of life of Parton “actually tough.”
Nevertheless, Star continued, “All of those tributes have helped a lot to assist us all by it. I can’t keep 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.”
