Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, experienced unimaginable heartbreak when her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide at the age of 27 in 2020.
In her memoir, “From Here to the Great Unknown,” completed by her daughter Riley Keough after her death in January 2023, Lisa Marie opens up about the profound grief she felt following her son’s passing. One of the most poignant revelations from the memoir is that Presley kept Benjamin’s body at her home for two months, allowing herself time to say a proper goodbye.
A Mother’s Grief: Keeping Benjamin at Home
Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir reveals the deep connection she maintained with her late son after his tragic passing. According to her daughter Riley, who completed the memoir using tapes of her mother’s recollections, Presley kept Benjamin’s body in their home on dry ice rather than at a morgue. The decision was an unusual but deeply personal one for Presley, who felt it was necessary for her grieving process.
They told us that if we could tend to the body, we could have him at home,” wrote Riley Keough, quoting her mother. So she kept him in our house for a while on dry ice. It was crucial that my mom had enough time to bid him farewell, just as she had done with her dad. I would go and sit with him in that room.
The Connection to Her Father’s Death
Following the death of her own father, Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie made the decision to keep Benjamin’s body at home. Elvis died in 1977 when Lisa Marie was just nine years old.
Presley explained in the memoir that having her father’s body in their house after his death helped her grieve, allowing her to spend more time with him before his burial.
She found comfort in the presence of her late son, just as she had with her father. The book quotes Presley as stating, “The state of California does not have a law requiring immediate burial.” I found a very empathetic funeral home owner who helped me. She said, ‘Well, bring Ben Ben to you. You can have him there.’”
The Practical Arrangements
In her memoir, Presley details the practicalities of keeping her son at home after his death. Presley kept Benjamin’s body at a constant temperature of 55 degrees in a separate room in her house.
The room allowed her to feel connected to him even in death. She explained that this time with her son helped her come to terms with his loss, saying, “I felt fortunate that there was a way I could still parent him, delay it a bit longer so that I could become okay with laying him to rest.
Benjamin and Lisa Marie Presley Lay to Rest at Graceland
Benjamin Keough finally found rest at Graceland, the Presley family estate, where Lisa Marie’s father, Elvis Presley, also rests. Following her own passing in January 2023 at the age of 54, Lisa Marie was buried beside her son and father.
The Presley family gravesite at Graceland now serves as a memorial for Elvis, Lisa Marie, and Benjamin, offering fans and loved ones a place to remember the music legend and his family.
Lisa Marie Presley’s decision to keep her son’s body in her home for two months reflects the depth of her grief and the bond she felt with Benjamin, even after his death. Riley Keough’s completion of her memoir provides a rare and intimate insight into her process of coping with the overwhelming loss.
By sharing her story, Presley sheds light on the importance of giving oneself time to grieve in a way that feels right, even if unconventional. The Presley family’s final resting place at Graceland is now a testament to the enduring legacy of Elvis, Lisa Marie, and Benjamin.
The Information is Collected from NBC News and Business Insider.
