Many in the U.S. and across the world are mourning this week, as beloved singer-songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and country music icon Dolly Parton, 80, died following her quiet battle with cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to her family.
Parton’s global impact is being highlighted in an endless outpouring of grief online from those who knew and worked with her to fans who loved her music alike.
President Trump has ordered flags across the United States be flown at half-staff to honor the memory of Dolly Parton. The presidential action was issued hours after Parton’s death was announced.
Cape Coral’s new flag, as big as a house, has been fluttering at half-staff on the city’s record-height flagpole. The pole stands at 250 feet, putting half-staff at about 125 feet.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a memorandum Tuesday, Aug. 25, evening, echoing Trump’s action and directing Florida flags to also be flown at half-staff for the country music icon.
Here’s how long flags will be flown at half-staff for the late, great queen of country, and what to know about the family’s wishes for fans who would like to pay their respects.
How long will flags fly half-staff for Dolly Parton?
Trump said flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset for one week following the country music icon’s death, until Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Where should flags be flown at half-staff?
Flags should be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions.
Trump also directed the flag be flown at half-staff at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also issued that flags be flown at half-staff in Florida.
“Pursuant to the president’s order and as a mark of respect, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the state of Florida until sunset on Sept. 1, 2026,” DeSantis said in a memorandum issued on Aug. 25.
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Why are flags flying at half-staff?
Flags across the U.S. and Florida are flying at half-staff to honor the memory of Dolly Parton.
What did President Trump say about Dolly Parton?
In a post on TruthSocial, Trump said Parton was “one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER.
“This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
What type of cancer did Dolly Parton have?
Dolly Parton had been battling cancer before her death, her representatives confirmed on Aug. 25 to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The country music icon died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after being hospitalized there Aug. 21. Parton’s representatives described her illness as a brief battle with cancer but did not disclose what type she had.
The cancer diagnosis provides new context to a series of health concerns that had caused Parton to pull back from some public appearances over the past year.
Fans mourn loss of Dolly Parton worldwide
Tributes began pouring in from around the world as the news of Dolly Parton’s death was released, and have continued in the days since.
Tuesday night, the Empire State Building lit up with pink, twinkling lights at 9:25 p.m. ET (nine-two-five) in her honor, as a nod to her classic hit “9 to 5.”
Since the news of her passing broke, fans have shown up at Dollywood, her home, several other locations in her home state of Tennessee and at her star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood to lay flowers and pay tribute to the “queen of country.”
If you’re a Floridian looking for a place to pay your respects to Parton, there’s a dinner theater in Panama City Beach that she opened just over a year ago, in June 2025.
If you are a fan who wishes to pay tribute, note that Parton’s family asked fans to support her legacy by donating to the Imagination Library.
Dolly Parton to be honored with a private memorial service
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton’s representative. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on social media or leave a message sharing what she meant to them at dollyparton.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com. Imagination Library was one of Parton’s philanthropic ventures, which is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children, every month from birth to age five. One in six U.S. children under the age of five receives free books from this fund, according to the website.
When did Dolly Parton’s husband die?
Dolly Parton’s death followed the March 2025 loss of her husband, Carl Dean, her famously private partner of nearly six decades. He was 82.
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised “briskly” to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Is it half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast. On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
What to know about Florida’s tallest flagpole
The City of Cape Coral, residents, veterans and other donors helped fund the 250-foot flagpole, the tallest in Florida. It was stood up on July 4, 2026, towering over the Cape Coral Bridge.
Private donations funded the $420,000 construction contract, with no taxpayer money used for the initial build.
The city’s General Fund will cover ongoing annual maintenance costs.
Contributors: Liza Esquibias, Bryan West, Brendan Morrow, Anthony Robledo, Cindy McCurry-Ross, Mickenzie Hannon, USA TODAY Network.
Cheryl McCloud and Lianna Norman are journalists for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
Mickenzie Hannon and Cindy McCurry-Ross are journalists at The News-Press & Naples Daily News, also part of the USA TODAY Network – Florida.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Why Cape Coral’s new flag is at half-staff like others in Florida