In the world of celebrity, where glitz and glamour reign supreme, the reality of life often takes a back seat, cloaked in the envy-inducing allure of red carpet events and glimmering awards. However, when tragedy strikes, even the most famous faces are not shielded from the agony that life can bring. Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley, experienced profound heartbreak with the tragic loss of her son, Ben Keough, who died by suicide in July 2020. As the public mourns alongside her, Presley’s candid reflections reveal the duality of love and loss, providing much-needed insights into the often-unspoken depths of grief.
Just over three years after her son’s devastating death, Lisa Marie penned an emotional essay for **People** in August 2022, coinciding with Grief Awareness Day. She opened up about her tumultuous journey through grief, stating, “I’ve dealt with death, grief, and loss since the age of nine. I’ve had more than anyone’s fair share of it in my lifetime, and somehow, I’ve made it this far. But this one, the death of my beautiful, beautiful son? The sweetest and most incredible being that I have ever had the privilege of knowing? No. Just no… no no no no.” The raw emotion in her words strikes a chord, not only resonating with those familiar with grief but also serving as a unifying voice for anyone navigating the stormy seas of loss.
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In her poignant reflections, Presley didn’t just dwell in sorrow; she also provided a lifeline for others grappling with their own anguish. “Finding others who have experienced a similar loss can be the only way to go,” she shared, urging people to seek out support groups that resonate with their particular struggles. “I go to them, and I hold them for other bereaved parents at my home.” It’s like hosting a sad dinner party, but an important one where everyone gets to share stories, tears, and perhaps a few awkward laughter moments over burnt toast. After all, sometimes it’s in collective suffering where healing truly begins.
Joe Seer/ShutterstockWhat’s undeniably heart-wrenching is how Presley chose to spend her final moments with Ben. According to her posthumous memoir, *Here to the Great Unknown*, she kept Ben’s body at home for two months after his passing, using dry ice to preserve him. Yes, you read that right! “There is no law in California that you have to bury someone immediately,” she explained, revealing that she found comfort in this decision, much as she did when her father, Elvis, passed away. “Having my dad in the house after he died was incredibly helpful,” she recalled, highlighting the bittersweet affection that underpins such moments.
Imagine pulling up to Lisa’s house, perhaps with a plate of cookies in hand, only to find out that the guest of honor is momentarily absent… uh, in the freezer! Ah, the things we do for love, right? But for Presley, this unconventional choice allowed her more time to confront the painful truth of Ben’s death, to talk to him like he was still there, negotiating an unimaginable farewell. It’s a unique brand of grieving, where time bends, allowing the heart to process loss in its own, confused way.
However, the gravity of this decision did not go unnoticed by Presley’s daughter, Riley Keough. In the memoir, she expressed discomfort with the arrangement, noting the odd vibes that seemed to permeate the air. “We all got this vibe from my brother that he didn’t want his body in this house anymore,” she wrote. At that moment, it sounded like Ben was channeling his inner ghost and whispering, “Guys, this is getting weird!” After some time, Lisa came to share this sentiment, realizing that maybe it was time to finally let go.
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesFunerals are no walk in the park, even for the most seasoned event planners among us. In a reflective piece for *Entertainment Weekly*, Riley described the bittersweet beauty of Ben’s funeral. “The service was as beautiful as it could have been… but as beautiful as it was, I found myself needing to close my eyes just to bear it. When I’d open them, I could barely see through tears.” Talk about a mascara catastrophe! Grief, it seems, is not picky about when it strikes, even if you’re in the midst of an emotional send-off.
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In yet another surprising twist of events, Lisa Marie decided to honor Ben’s existing ink in an unexpected way. Before his burial, she enlisted Riley to get matching tattoos, and here’s where things took an even weirder turn. In a move that would make any sane person raise an eyebrow, Presley allowed their tattoo artist to inspect Ben’s body. Riley, aghast, was surely thinking, “Wait a minute—this isn’t exactly the usual ‘let’s look at the design’ meeting!” It’s both heartwarming and cringe-worthy—a true testament to a mother’s unwavering love, even amid the bizarre.
In a conversation on *CBS This Morning*, Riley noted that although her mother’s memoir dives deep into the pain of loss, it also speaks of joy. “I think it’s interesting because reading the book, it does feel like a tragedy, but there was so much joy and love and wonderful times in our lives,” she said, reminding us that even amid despair, love prevails. It’s like finding gold nuggets in a heap of sadness—a treasure that shines brightly, illuminating dark days.
Through it all, Presley’s reflections on grief shed light on the often overlooked aspects of mourning, bringing a blend of comedy and tragedy to the conversation. As the world remembers her unwavering spirit and love for her son, it’s clear that behind the pain lies an enduring connection that transcends even death itself.
In the words of Lisa Marie Presley, and echoed in the hearts of many, while grief can be a heavy burden, the warmth of shared memories and the love of those we’ve lost keep their spirits alive. So, let’s talk openly about the hard stuff—it might just be the lifeline someone else needs.
