In a revelation from her posthumously released memoir, Lisa Marie Presley disclosed keeping her late son Benjamin Keough’s body preserved at her home for two months following his suicide in August 2020.
The memoir, co-authored by her daughter Riley Keough, delves into Presley’s profound grief and her untimely death in 2023, Daily Mail reported.
Benjamin Keough passed away at the age of 27. In an unprecedented move fuelled by profound sorrow, his mother, Lisa Marie Presley, chose to keep his body at her residence rather than immediately proceed with burial plans. This decision was meticulously chronicled in her memoir "FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN," helping to paint a vivid picture of her emotional landscape during this period.
Presley wrote in the memoir that there was no legal necessity in California to bury someone right away. She found compassion at a funeral home whose owner agreed to transport Benjamin’s body to her home, allowing Lisa Marie to keep him close for a longer period.
They maintained Benjamin's body in a room at 55 degrees, using dry ice to preserve it. This method allowed Presley to grieve privately within her home, even though it defied conventional practices.
Lisa Marie, reflecting on keeping her son's preserved body at home, acknowledged that it might terrify others, but it brought her a particular comfort. Her actions highlight the depth of her grief and her need to cope with her son's death in her own way.
In 2023, Presley died at age 54 from complications related to a previous bariatric surgery, specifically a small bowel obstruction. Her passing marked the tumultuous end of a life lived under the public's scrutiny, yet filled with personal trials and tribulations.
Before her death, Lisa Marie arranged to ensure she and Benjamin would remain side by side, leading to her burial next to him at Graceland. This act solidified the inseparable bond between a mother and her beloved son, even in death.
Pan MacMillan published the memoir posthumously on October 8, 2024, allowing Lisa Marie’s story to be told fully, with her daughter, Riley Keough, stepping in to complete the narrative.
Lisa Marie originally initiated the memoir after Benjamin’s death to cover all facets of her life. She planned to explore integral themes, including her love for her father, Elvis, her romantic encounters, and her role as a mother.
Keough participated in co-authoring the memoir because she wanted to humanize her mother, moving beyond the tabloid portrayals to present a multi-dimensional portrait of a woman who faced extraordinary circumstances.
Speaking about her mother's intention with the memoir, Riley Keough highlighted that it aimed to delve beneath superficial perceptions and reveal the essence of Lisa Marie. The memoir serves not only as a narrative of Presley’s life but also as a testament to her emotional and psychological landscape following her profound loss.
The funeral for Benjamin, which the family initially held in Malibu before his final rest at Graceland, marked another chapter in their journey through grief. Lisa Marie and Riley honored Benjamin’s memory with matching tattoos, signifying their eternal connection to him.
Riley Keough's commitment to sharing her mother's story extends beyond the written word; she plans to narrate part of the audiobook version alongside actress Julia Roberts. Her involvement adds an additional layer of intimacy and authenticity to the retelling of Lisa Marie’s heartfelt entries.
With plans for a multi-city book tour spanning from October 9 to 20, 2024, in New York and Los Angeles, Riley aims to bring her mother's and brother's story to a broader audience, striving to touch those who might find solace in shared sorrow and shared humanity.
