On a somber Sunday, hundreds gathered in Graceland to remember the light of Elvis Presley’s life.
Mourners began lining up as early as 5 a.m. to say a final goodbye to The King’s only child. The celebration of Lisa Marie’s life opened up with an emotional rendition “Amazing Grace” by Jason Clark & The Tennessee Mass Choir.
Joel Weinshanker, a film producer who has worked on several projects about Graceland, provided opening remarks. He noted that Lisa Marie provided her “wishes and desires” for the day.
“Dont make it sad,” he said while fighting back tears, adding that Graceland was the “forever home” of Elvis and Lisa Marie.
Dwayne Hunt, the senior pastor of Abundant Grace Fellowship in Memphis, gave the invocation. He said to remember Lisa Marie’s mother and children so that they can “rise above the darkness of this grief.”
Lisa Marie Presley will be honored in a public memorial at the famed Memphis home of her father, Elvis Presley, Sunday. The only daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll died Thursday, Jan. 12, at the age of 54.
MFans gather to pay their respects at the memorial for Lisa Marie Presley on January 22, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley, 54, the only child of American singer Elvis Presley, died January 12, 2023, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
“Riley, Harper, Finley and Priscilla are grateful for the support, well wishes and outpouring of love honoring their beloved Lisa Marie,” a representative confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement.
“A public memorial service has been arranged on the front lawn of Graceland at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, in Memphis. Please visit www.graceland.com for more information. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all who wish to send something to do so in the form of a donation to The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.”
A view of the program at the public memorial for Lisa Marie Presley on January 22, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Elvis Presley, his parents Vernon and Gladys, his grandmother Minnie Mae and Lisa’s only son, Benjamin Keough, are also buried on the Graceland grounds.
The day conjured up memories of Elvis’ own send-off nearly a half-century ago. According to reports, more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered on the day of his death alone, setting the record for the most sold in a single day in the U.S.
Elvis Presley’s funeral cortège in Memphis, Tennessee on August 18, 1977.
(Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns)
An estimated 18,000 people – many who had traveled hundreds of miles from across the country – lined up for miles on a steamy August day in 1977 to catch a glimpse of the funeral procession featuring 49 vehicles. A white Cadillac hearse had a rose-covered coffin that carried the beloved patriarch’s body. Behind the hearse was the car carrying Priscilla, whose face hid behind a veil. A heartbroken Lisa Marie clutched onto her mother.
About 200 family members, friends and other loved ones attended the private service at Graceland, as well as stars like John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, George Hamilton and Ann-Margret, among others.
LISA MARIE PRESLEY’S LIFE IN PICTURES
Lisa Marie Presley will be buried in a public memorial at Graceland Sunday.
(Christopher Polk)
While Lisa Marie lived in southern California, she often visited Memphis and was at Graceland for a celebration Jan. 8 to commemorate what would have been her father’s 88th birthday.
Elvis lived at Graceland from June 26, 1957, until his death Aug. 16, 1977.
REMEMBERING LISA MARIE PRESLEY: ELVIS AND PRISCILLA’S ONLY CHILD, SURVIVED BY MOTHER, 3 DAUGHTERS
Lisa Marie Presley was the only daughter of Priscilla and Elvis Presley.
(Frank Carroll/Sygma)
Lisa Marie was taken to a hospital Jan. 12 after sheriff’s deputies responded to a “not breathing call.” Presley died the same day at the age of 54.
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Riley Keough, Presley’s daughter and Benjamin’s sister, took to Instagram Friday to honor her mother for the first time since her passing.
The daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley died Jan. 12 at age 54. The family is pictured here in 1970.
(Getty Images)
The post included a snap from her childhood. She gazes into Lisa Marie’s eyes as she holds a bouquet of flowers in the throwback picture. The 33-year-old captioned the post with a simple red heart emoji.
Lisa Marie is survived by her three daughters — Riley and twins Harper and Finley, 14.
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Presley shared Riley with her ex-husband, Danny Keough. The couple also shared their son, Benjamin, who died at the age of 27 in 2020. Presley shared Harper and Finley with her ex-husband Michael Lockwood.
Lisa Marie became the sole heir of the Elvis Presley Trust, which — along with Elvis Presley Enterprises — managed Graceland and other assets until she sold her majority interest in 2005. She retained ownership of the mansion itself, the 13 acres around it and items inside the home.
Now, her daughters will receive Graceland, a representative for Graceland confirmed with FOX Business.
“Lisa Marie’s daughters inherit everything,” the rep stated.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
