Lisa Marie Presley Made a Bold Choice for Her Son’s Body: “She Was Not a Crazy Woman.”
A Mother’s Love
In July 2020, Lisa Marie Presley’s son Benjamin Keough tragically passed away at a much too young age.
“He was only 27 years old, which was surprising to many, but for Lisa Marie it marked the beginning of a period of reflection and pain that no parent should have to experience.”
In her soon-to-be-released memoir, “From Here To The Great Unknown,” Lisa Marie gives an intimate, in-depth look at this life-changing event and how she coped with it.
Lisa Marie didn’t know how to say goodbye to her son and felt lost in the first days after his departure. The idea of putting him to rest immediately felt too abrupt and final.”
Original sentences:
Lisa Marie didn’t know how to say goodbye to her son and felt lost in the first days after his departure. The idea of putting him to rest immediately felt too abrupt and final.
Rewritten sentence:
Lisa Marie felt lost after her son’s departure and found the idea of immediately putting him to rest too abrupt and final.
She wasn’t ready to take that step, so she decided to keep Benjamin in her home for two months instead.
This gave her the freedom to say goodbye in her own way, without outside pressure or expectations.
An Unconventional Farewell
For Lisa Marie, this was the only way to connect with her son’s departure at that moment and express her feelings of loss and farewell, as words were inadequate to convey the depth of her emotions.
In her memoir, she explains that in California, there is no mandatory direct burial, which allowed her to say goodbye in her own way.
She was grateful that she had found an understanding funeral director who not only supported her in her time of grief, but also told her that she could keep Benjamin in her home for as long as she felt necessary.
For Lisa Marie, the idea of having him in her home was a way to slowly get used to missing his presence and to comfort herself with his belongings and memories that were still tangibly present.
She kept the room at a constant 55 degrees for Benjamin.
She sat with him regularly, talked to him and had the opportunity to reflect quietly without others disturbing her.
Lisa Marie described in detail in her book how valuable it was for her to express her emotions and share them with others, and how this gave her the strength to process the loss of her loved one step by step.
It was a way for her to face the unthinkable in a slightly more bearable way and to ease the deep-seated pain and crushing sadness of the situation by looking at it with a more empathetic and understanding approach.
Reflection and Love
Lisa Marie’s love for her children was always unconditional and deep-rooted, creating a strong bond with them that seemed unbreakable. After Benjamin’s departure, she found comfort and support in her daughter Riley, who guided her through this difficult time and helped her soften the rough edges of parting, so that she could slowly learn to enjoy life without her son again.
Riley and Lisa Marie, who had always shared a strong and unbreakable bond since they knew each other from a young age, made the mutual decision to join forces and work together to find creative ways to honor and remember Benjamin, their beloved friend who is sadly no longer with us, in a dignified and special way.
One of the most remarkable stories in Lisa Marie’s memoir tells of the tattoo she got on a sunny summer day in a remote village, where she retreated to find peace and order her thoughts.
Lisa Marie and Riley both got tattoos in honor of Benjamin’s unique designs.
They wanted to continue to honor him in a unique way, so Lisa Marie invited a professional tattoo artist to view and admire Benjamin’s detailed and personal tattoos.
At first glance it may seem unusual, but for Lisa Marie it was a way to preserve the memory of her son as accurately as possible, with every detail and nuance as vivid and tangible in her mind as possible.
Riley later described the moment as “remarkable but full of love.” She also recalled how professionally the tattoo artist handled the situation, despite the unusual circumstances.
It shows the strong bond Lisa Marie shared with her children and her boundless commitment to keeping her son’s memory alive. She devoted herself to preserving his legacy and celebrating his life in every way she could.
Place of Rest
After two months of doubt and exhaustion, Lisa Marie decided with sadness and resignation that it was time to give Benjamin a worthy resting place.
She faced a heartbreaking and complex choice: be buried at Graceland next to her father, the legendary Elvis Presley, a place where his legacy lives on; or take her mother’s grave to Hawaii, an enchanting place full of meaning for her family where they made so many precious memories together.
Ultimately, she chose to go to Graceland, a decision born out of her deep desire to keep her family together even after they left for new places.
Graceland was not only home to the Presley family, but also a sacred place steeped in memories, rich history, and unconditional love.
“It was the perfect place for her son, who loved spending time with his grandfather, so she was happy it was so close by.”
In 2023, it was decided to bury Lisa Marie next to Benjamin, in a place that has great emotional significance for the family, bringing the family together again at this important moment.
A Legacy
Lisa Marie’s life was full of challenges and love, from the loss of her father to the pressures of fame and personal problems, but through it all she remained strong and determined to find her own way.
“But despite all the difficulties and setbacks that came her way, her unconditional love for her children remained the shining light that gave her strength and enabled her to continue tirelessly.”
Her memoir not only provides a moving insight into her life and inner struggles, but also reveals the profound impact Benjamin’s departure had on her, showing how his absence left a void that she had to fill with her own strength and determination.
Lisa Marie Presley’s story will deeply touch and inspire many parents who have struggled with reflection, as it shows how she overcame and persevered despite the challenging moments in her life.
Her choice to say goodbye to her son in her own way, regardless of the expectations of others, shows a deep-seated courage and vulnerability that few dare to show in a similar situation.
She knew that reflection is a personal process and she was determined to follow her own path, regardless of what others thought.
Her candor and unconditional love for her family will always resonate, not only in her music, but in the way she lived her life and the value she placed on the bonds with her loved ones.