Dolly Parton’s niece reveals what made singer’s burial ‘really hard’

Dolly Parton’s family went through a “really hard” time as they laid the legendary country musician to rest on August 28.

Sharing rare insights into Dolly’s burial, her niece, Lainey Mae Parton, penned an emotional message on Instagram, noting that writing this post was tough.

“I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey said.

Dolly’s niece also added that the singer “couldn’t have kids of her own” but she made her all nieces and nephews feel like they were “hers.”

Lainey, who used to call Dolly “Aunt Granny,” went on to gush over her and the Queen of Country’s relationship, noting, “She always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.

“Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her,” she added.

Lainey further shared that “it still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone.”

“I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there,” she expressed her grief.

On Friday, Parton’s dozens of close friends and family gathered at Woodlawn Memorial Park, her burial site, in Nashville three days after her passing.

The country star died on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.

She is reportedly laid to rest beside her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away last year after 58 years of marriage.