The terrible death of Lisa Marie Presley on January 12 shook the entertainment industry. The singer passed away at the age of 54 in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering a heart arrest. First responders reportedly found Lisa Marie unresponsive when they got at the site, according to witnesses. However, after administering CPR, paramedics were able to find a weak pulse. Sadly, it was too late to save Lisa Marie even though she was sent right away to the closest hospital.
Lisa Marie also left behind her mother, Priscilla Presley, and three kids. In a statement, Priscilla said, “It is with a heavy heart that I must deliver the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. When Lisa Marie’s father, Elvis Presley, passed away in 1977 from heart problems, she was nine years old.
According to the New York Times, heart arrhythmia was to blame for the death of the 42-year-old rock and roll legend. Elvis and Priscilla separated four years earlier, but they remained close. Her ex-sudden husband’s and untimely death left her distraught and devastated (source: Today). But no mother should ever have to experience the unfathomable depths of pain that come with a child’s death.
But that’s exactly what Priscilla had to do on January 22 as Lisa Marie was buried at the Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, alongside her father and son. One of the many tragic moments of Lisa Marie Presley’s funeral was her sorrowful speech.
On January 22, Priscilla Presley gave a eulogy for Lisa Marie Presley in front of a sizable group of friends, relatives, and onlookers. Riley Keough, age 33, and the 14-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood, who are also Lisa Marie’s children, listened as their soft-spoken mourning grandma read the poem “Old Soul,” which Harper had written in memory of her mother, according to the Detroit News.
“She came into the world in 1968, exhausted, weak, but strong. Despite being delicate, she was vibrant “Read Priscilla (via Billboard). “She had always anticipated leaving quickly. She shows us a peek of her emerald eye as childhood passes. She subsequently started her own family.”
“She was aware that time was running out. Some could argue that this is survivor’s guilt, however, her death was caused by a shattered heart. Although she is now in the place where she belongs, I miss her love “Priscilla went on (via CNN). “Our hearts are torn. We adore you, Lisa “Before leaving the stage, she continued. The poem’s final line seems to be a reference to Lisa Marie’s utter anguish after her son tragically passed away at age 27.
According to E! News, Benjamin Keough committed suicide in 2020. A representative said, “[Lisa Marie] is absolutely sad, inconsolable, and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong.” “That boy had her heart. She was in love with him “They came to a conclusion.
The oldest child of Lisa Marie Presley also created a heartbreaking tribute to her mother. Ben Smith Peterson, the actor’s husband, ascended the stage to read Riley Keough’s letter since she had wanted to deliver it herself but was too overtaken with emotion. Riley’s dedication stated, “Thank you for being my mother in this life” (via Us Weekly). “I will always be grateful. I appreciate you demonstrating to me that the only thing that matters in this life is love. I aspire to love my baby as you did for me.”
She continued by listing her fondest recollections of her mother’s company.
Riley wrote, “I remember you bathing me when I was a baby, then driving me in my car seat listening to Aretha Franklin. “Taking me to Florida for ice cream after school.” She recalled how Lisa Marie used to sing Riley and her now-deceased younger brother, Benjamin Keough, lullabies at night to calm them and then cuddle up in bed with the kids until they fell asleep. She said she still treasured those precious and endearing times. Riley concluded the eulogy by saying, “Thank you for teaching me that love is the only thing that matters in this world.”
Riley and Lisa Marie had a particular relationship because Riley was their firstborn. Following her passing, Riley posted a lovely vintage black-and-white picture of her as a little child holding a bunch of flowers while Lisa Marie grins widely and looks proudly at her daughter. She used a straightforward heart emoji as the photo’s caption.
Joel Weinshanker stated that Lisa Marie Presley had not wanted any sadness to be present during the ceremony. The film producer swore, “Lisa, we would strive to respect you and try to respect your requests” (via TMZ). There was, however, 0% possibility of that occurring.
As she recalled her close friend and “sister,” Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was already fighting back tears when she rose to speak. According to Us Weekly, Sarah told the crowd it was an honor to speak at the memorial and revealed that because of their strong friendship, she and Lisa Marie called each other “sissy.” During her speech, Sarah spoke to the recently departed Queen Elizabeth II of the UK. She said, “Sissy, this is for you with love.” “Grief is the price we pay for love, thus nothing [that] can be said can even begin to ease the pain and suffering of these moments, according to my late mother-in-law. How accurate she was, too.”
According to Page Six, Sarah insisted, “I think it’s time to stoke our flames within… to celebrate the wonderful Lisa Marie,” as she began her address. Later, she made mention of Lisa Marie’s son Benjamin Keough’s untimely passing. The mother of two stated, “We look to Lisa Marie [who] lost a son. “There are no words to describe mothers losing children.”
Standing in front of a massive poster of Lisa Marie Presley beaming with delight, Pastor Dwayne Hunt gave an intensely moving invocation at the singer’s burial service. With the assembled mourners, Pastor Hunt led a stirring prayer about overcoming the “sorrow” and “darkness” of loss.
The priest said, “While her light has gone out, she leaves this light to her mother and her children so that they might rise above the darkness of this loss.” “”Let them draw courage from the large number of people who have gathered today to share their grief with them. We are thankful for Lisa Marie’s magnificent gift even during this difficult time.” The only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley was commended by Pastor Hunt for “her enthusiasm, her power, her brilliance, and her tenacity.” He pleaded with the crowd to “bring joy” into their hearts by thinking of Lisa Marie.
In the name of this place where we stand in Graceland, he said, “‘May we all feel your calm in our pain, your healing in our hurt, your light in our darkness,’ encourages us to be grateful for the grace that gives us strength even in our weakness. In order to make her tranquility last in our hearts, let unfathomable love abound in this space, Amen.
Given the history of the Presley family, it was not surprising that music played a significant and emotional role throughout the memorial service. Lisa Marie Presley had carved a career for herself in the entertainment industry, just like her legendary father Elvis Presley had done. According to People, Lisa Marie “launched her own music career in 2003 with a debut album.” In the ensuing decade, she followed it up by releasing two additional albums.
Several of Lisa Marie’s professional associates and partners paid tribute to her by giving moving and sincere performances at the memorial. According to Billboard, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins sang “To Sheila” while playing an acoustic guitar. Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, also played the piano while singing “November Rain,” and Alanis Morissette sang “Rest.”
Deadline claims that there were also affecting and potent interludes between all of the contemporary pop and rock performances, which included some traditional gospel music. “How Great Thou Art” was sung by The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and “Amazing Grace,” which Elvis famously performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1971, was performed by Jason Clark and The Tennessee Mass Choir to round off the event. Everyone in the crowd was crying.
