Dolly Parton had already made plans for her funeral before her death at age 80, requesting a small, private service for immediate family. More than a decade ago, the country icon revealed the song she wanted played: ‘If We Never Meet Again,’ a country-gospel hymn that was her father’s favorite and was performed at his funeral.
Parton also requested to be buried in a plush, cotton-lined resting place, according to her family.
The singer's choice highlights the powerful role music can play in a final farewell. Traditional funeral hymns have been performed for centuries, but a carefully chosen memorial song can make a service especially personal, offering comfort, evoking memories, and sometimes even bringing a touch of lightheartedness to an emotional occasion. But which songs have become particularly meaningful choices for honoring the dearly departed?
Click through this playlist of funeral music favorites.