Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the King of Pop, was finally laid to rest on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee, the location of Elvis Presley's former home. Many of the late star's close friends and family members were present to pay their respects.
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Austin Butler, who played Elvis in the biopic that won him a Golden Globes award; Sarah Ferguson, and numerous other well-known figures who knew Lisa Marie throughout her life were present for the memorial service, which was held on Graceland's front lawn.
Pastor Wayne Hunt gave a moving eulogy and homage at the start of the sad event, recalling Lisa Marie's resilience and fortitude even through her most trying moments.
One of Lisa Marie's close friends, Billy Corgan, joined the stage for a touching performance of To Shelia by The Smashing Pumpkins. Other speakers included former Memphis mayor AC Wharton.
Alanis Morissette sang Rest while playing the piano during the funeral on Sunday. Another performer was Sarah, a close friend of Lisa Marie who was choked while delivering a poem by George Frost.
The 33-year-old was sobbing in the crowd when Riley's husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, walked the stage to read the eulogy that Riley had written. Riley and her family are all the products of Lisa Marie's heart, the message said, going into depth about all of her recollections of her mother. "I hope you finally know how loved you were here," the heartfelt eulogy said.
At the platform, Lisa Marie's distraught mother spoke about her daughter's life and how much she loved Riley, her twin daughters Finley and Harper Lockwood, 14 years old, and her late son Benjamin. From her mobile, she read a message from one of her granddaughters, who expressed their love for their mother.
Pricilla also discussed Lisa Marie and how having a child gave her hope for a longer life. Pricilla mentioned Lisa Marie's devastating loss of her son Benjamin and how Lisa Marie's passing might have been caused by a "broken heart" after his passing in 2020 in one of the more dramatic moments.
The quartet, led by James Blackwood Jr., also took the stage. He spoke candidly about how they performed at Elvis Presley's funeral in 1977. After that, the quartet sang a stirring rendition of Sweet Holy Spirit.
Jason Clark and The Tennessee Mass Choir sang Revelation 19:1 as the final song to end the ceremony.
Fans were urged to make donations to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation in Lisa Marie's honor via Graceland's Twitter. The foundation assists several nonprofit groups that support the arts, education, and children's programs, particularly those in the Memphis and Whitehaven regions.
Even though the service was open to the public, it had a homey atmosphere because relatives and friends sat in 10 rows of black folding chairs at the front of the Graceland estate, apart only by a narrow aisle. Along the aisles, there were little boxes of Kleenex.
Mourners and fans gathered on the grassy area lining the home's lengthy driveway from the street.
Following the funeral, a procession was held to see Lisa Marie's last resting place next to her son in the Meditation Garden. Everyone on the north lawn had the opportunity to walk in the procession behind relatives and family.
Elvis is interred at Graceland beside Lisa Marie and Benjamin, as well as his grandparents Minnie Mae, Vernon, and Gladys. There is also a smaller memorial stone for Elvis' identical twin brother Jessie, who passed away at birth.
The Presley family expressed their appreciation for the support they received in the aftermath of the singer's untimely death to Lisa Marie's representative before the memorial service.
The statement added, "Riley, Harper, Finley, and Priscilla are appreciative of the support, well-wishes, and outpouring of love commemorating their dear Lisa Marie."
Lisa Maria died after a cardiac arrest on the 12th of January. The loss has been quite shocking as the entertainment industry has been mourning since her passing was announced.
Lisa Marie once shared with People how hard it was when she lost her son Benjamin to suicide in 2020, and since that time, she barely made a public appearance until the Golden Globes award.
May her soul rest in peace now that she has joined her father and son.
