Elvis Presley‘s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was just 9 when her father unexpectedly died at his Graceland home on Aug. 16, 1977. Within 48 hours, Elvis’ physique lay in state within the doorway of the house’s music room. Lisa Marie needed to provide her father one thing earlier than his burial. She picked out a particular memento for her father to have as she mentioned her closing goodbye. Listed here are the small print.
Lisa Marie Presley needed Elvis Presley to have a particular present
The shock of Elvis Presley’s dying was felt worldwide. The king of rock and roll left an indelible imprint on the music and leisure industries and the general public’s consciousness.
At simply 42, Elvis died after a 20-year profession full of private highs and lows. His household shortly organized a memorial and burial that befitted the entertainer, identified for his over-the-top stage exhibits and way of life.
Followers lined up exterior Graceland, the place they have been allowed to file previous Elvis’ coffin to pay their closing respects. Nevertheless, simply earlier than that, members of the family have been capable of spend time with the king for a non-public funeral.
In a ebook titled The King is Useless, written by the funeral director who took care of Elvis’ physique, Robert Kendall, Lisa Marie requested if she might depart an merchandise to be buried along with her father. He claims Lisa Marie requested him, “Mister Kendall, can I give this to my daddy?”
It was a silver bangle bracelet that was positioned on Elvis’ proper wrist. Kendall wrote that Elvis’ shirt sleeve was pulled over the bracelet so it couldn’t be seen by others, however Lisa Marie knew it was there.
How many individuals paid their respects to Elvis Presley at Graceland?
Hundreds of individuals lined Elvis Presley Boulevard to pay their respects to the king of rock and roll. Upwards of 25,000 followers filed previous Elvis’ physique to say a closing goodbye.
Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, reportedly prolonged the interval the place followers might enter the house in order many as potential might say farewell. Elvis lay in state in a copper casket, sporting a white swimsuit, gentle blue shirt, and white tie.
After the viewing, Elvis’ physique was moved to Forest Hills Cemetary in Memphis. His mom, Gladys Presley, was additionally buried there.
Elvis was entombed within the mausoleum after a service for shut household and buddies. Vernon reportedly accompanied his son’s physique throughout his internment.
Later, Gladys’ physique was moved from her closing resting place into the crypt subsequent to her son. Nevertheless, an try to steal Elvis’ physique for ransom reportedly led Vernon to maneuver his son and spouse to Graceland.
How did Graceland’s Meditation Backyard develop into a household gravesite?
Within the ebook The King is Useless, Robert Kendall claims that Vernon Presley received approval for six underground burial plots in Graceland’s Meditation Backyard. The plan was to maneuver Elvis and Gladys to the household house to make sure the security of their our bodies.
There was additionally an understanding with the household that it could be unlawful to cost admission for followers to go to Elvis and Gladys’ graves. This is why at the moment, followers are allowed to stroll Graceland’s driveway to go to the Meditation backyard without cost.
In October 1977, Elvis and Gladys got here house to relaxation at Graceland for good. Subsequently, Vernon’s physique was interred alongside his son and spouse in 1979, and the realm turned a household graveyard.
Vernon’s mom, Minne Might Presley, was buried alongside her son in 1980. Following, Elvis’ grandson Benjamin Keough was laid to relaxation within the backyard in 2020, and his mom, Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie Presley, was interred subsequent to her son in 2023.