More than a thousand people gathered at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday (January 22) to mourn the life of Lisa Marie Presley, who died on January 12, 2023 , at the age of 54.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, some mourners carried flowers as they entered Presley’s public memorial service, which was held in the front yard of Graceland, the home of Presley’s legendary father Elvis Where Leslie lives.
In addition to those who attended the service in person, many more people watched the service live to the public from their homes.
Music was a big part of the service: Alanis Morissette performed “Rest,” Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose sang “November Rain,” and Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan sang “To Sheila,” all while strumming acoustic guitar and singing.
The ceremony was also filled with moving tributes from many people from all aspects of Presley’s life. Among the speakers was Jerry Schilling, talent manager and member of Presley’s Memphis Mafia. Former Memphis Mayor AC Wharton also spoke, reflecting on Presley’s connection to the city, saying, “She’s not just the king’s daughter, she’s our city’s choice … She’s ours, we’re hers of.”
Presley’s mother, Priscilla Presley, addressed the crowd by reading a song by one of Presley’s three daughters, Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, titled “Old Soul” poem.
“She came to our world in 1968, born weary and fragile but strong. She was delicate but full of life. She always knew she wouldn’t be here for too long,” the poem reads, according to People magazine. Long time.” ‘Childhood passed, and looking into her green eyes, she started her own family. Then her second child appeared and she became suspicious—could this be the angel who brought me home? The “second child” mentioned in the poem refers to Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, who died in 2020 at the age of 27 by suicide.
“Of course, time flew by. The moment of tragedy came. She knew it was over. Some would say it was the fault of the survivors, but a broken heart was the cause of her death. Now that she has closed the home, she was there and always has been Part of it, but my heart misses her with love,” Priscilla continued.
After writing the poem, Priscilla briefly added her own words, saying: “That says it all, thank you all for being here…our hearts are broken. Lisa, we all love you. “
Harper, 14, attended her mother’s memorial service with her twin sisters Finley and Riley Keough, 33. Riley did not speak at the ceremony, but her husband, Ben Smith-Peterson, read a note on her behalf describing some of Riley’s childhood memories with his mother.
“Thank you for my strength, my heart, my empathy, my courage, my sense of humor, my manners, my temper, my ferocity, my tenacity,” Riley Keogh ( Riley Keough’s statement concluded. “I am a product of your heart.”
Presley’s final resting place is the Meditation Garden in Graceland, where Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley’s parents and his grandmother are also buried. Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, is also buried at the estate, and Presley is buried with her son.
