Dolly Parton had already chosen the song she wanted to hear at her funeral long before her death.

Twelve years before the country music legend died on August 25, 2026, Dolly revealed that she wanted If We Never Meet Again to be performed when the time came to say goodbye.

The country gospel song held a deeply personal meaning for Dolly because it was her father’s favorite. In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she explained that the song had been performed at her father’s funeral and that she hoped it would one day be part of her own.

Dolly never released her own studio recording of If We Never Meet Again, although she did perform the song live during her career.

Following her death, the song has taken on an even more emotional meaning for fans. Many listeners have discovered the beautiful gospel standard for the first time, while others have returned to its message about faith, loss and the hope of meeting loved ones again in heaven.

The song was written by Albert E. Brumley, one of the most respected names in gospel music. Brumley wrote more than 800 songs during his career, including the famous hymn I’ll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On. His work earned him spots in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

The story behind If We Never Meet Again makes the song even more meaningful.

Brumley’s granddaughter, Betsy Brumley, recently shared the story with Country Rebel. She explained that her grandfather often found inspiration while driving and regularly attended singing conventions in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1930s and 1940s.

One day, while driving home from one of those gatherings, Brumley began thinking about the people he had just spent time with. He realized that when they returned to the same event in the future, things would never be exactly the same.

Someone might be gone. Circumstances could change. The special moment they had shared could never truly be recreated.

That thought became the inspiration for If We Never Meet Again.

According to Betsy, her grandfather understood that people should treasure the time they have together because there is no guarantee they will meet again on earth. The song offered a comforting thought that even if people never crossed paths again in this life, they could one day be reunited in heaven.

Brumley died in 1977, but he lived long enough to see some of the biggest names in music record his work. Among them were Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.

Elvis had an especially personal connection to If We Never Meet Again. Betsy explained that the song had been one of Elvis’ mother’s favorites. After her death, Elvis asked Brumley and members of his family to attend her funeral because of the song.

For Brumley, having a performer as famous as Elvis personally request one of his songs was an extraordinary honor.

That connection makes Dolly’s love for the song even more special to Betsy.

Dolly Parton admired Brumley’s music so much that when she created a small white chapel at Dollywood, she reportedly chose his songbook as the only collection of music allowed inside.

Knowing that Dolly later selected If We Never Meet Again as the song she wanted at her own funeral was deeply meaningful to Betsy.

She believes her grandfather would have been incredibly touched by the honor.

For Betsy, the story represents something bigger than one famous singer choosing one gospel song. She sees it as one songwriter showing respect for another songwriter and recognizing the lasting power of their work.

That feeling has become especially powerful following Dolly’s death.

Betsy’s upcoming podcast, Our Musical Heritage, will also explore stories from music history and the people who helped shape it. The first episode is scheduled to premiere Friday, September 11, with Bobby Tomberlin as the first guest. Tomberlin is one of the songwriters behind Diamond Rio’s One More Day.

Interestingly, the episode was recorded before Dolly passed away. Betsy said she and Tomberlin naturally ended up discussing If We Never Meet Again without knowing how meaningful the conversation would become just days later.

Dolly’s passing has brought new attention to a song she had loved for years. And now, If We Never Meet Again carries an even deeper message for the millions of people mourning the country legend.

Its promise is simple but powerful: even when loved ones have to part, there is hope that the goodbye may not be forever.