Lisa Marie Presley‘s life and legacy were honored during the emotional memorial service Graceland.
As it turns out, the 54-year-old musician died on January 12 after suffering a full-blown heart attack at his home in Calabasas. Now, his family members, including his 14-year-old daughter Finleydaughter Riley Keoughelder brother Navarone Garibaldiyour ex-husband Michael Lockwoodand mother Priscilla Presleyhave gathered with hundreds of mourners and celebrities to say goodbye to Lisa at Graceland on Friday.
according to Billboardmemorial service begins with Jason Clark & The Tennessee Mass choir song Amazing Grace in the front yard of a Memphis, Tennessee, home. A message written in the program from the Presley family about the service read:
“We want to express our sincere gratitude for the love, compassion and support you have shown our family during this difficult time. We will always be grateful.
Related: Riley Keough Shares Beautiful Tribute To Mom Lisa
Several celebrities and public figures later came to speak during the service in Lisa’s honor, including Priscilla who read aloud a note written by one of her grandchildren. He told the audience:
“I don’t know how to say mom. Actually, there are so many. Lisa Marie Presley is an icon, a role model, a superhero for many people around the world, but Mama is my icon, my role model, my superhero – in more ways than one. Now , I can’t figure out everything there is to know or know about them, but as they say, I’ll do my best.
The grieving mother also read a poem titled “Old Soul,” which she wrote about Lisa Marie.
“In 1968, he entered our world, born tired, fragile, but strong. He was soft, but full of life. He always knew that he would not be here for long. Children passed, with green eyes, he then raised his own family. Then came the second child, leaving him in doubt – is this the angel who brought me home? Time, of course, flew by. It was time for tragedy. He knew that the end was near. Surviving guilt, some would say, but a sick heart is what kills him. Now he is at home, but my heart longs for his love.'”
So visibly emotional, Priscilla continued:
“He knows I love him. I’m afraid I won’t touch him. But the old soul is always with me. He doesn’t fly above.’ That says it all, and thank you all for being here… Our hearts are broken. Lisa, we all love you.”
Afterwards, Riley wrote a heart-wrenching letter in honor of her mother that her husband read Ben Smith-Petersen. He said at the service:
“I want to read what Riley wrote. A letter to my mother – thank you for being my mother in this life. I am always grateful to have spent 33 years with you. I believe that I have chosen the best mother for me in this world and I know I remember you and I remember everything.
The note recounts many of Riley’s fond memories of growing up with Lisa:
“I remember you bathing me as a baby and I remember you driving me in the car seat listening to Aretha Franklin. I remember how you hugged me at night, and the way you smelled. I remember you taking me for ice cream after school in Florida. I I remember you singing to me and my brother at night. I remember how you would sleep with us until we fell asleep. I remember how it felt to be loved by my dearest mother. I remember how safe it felt to be in your arms. I remember this feeling when I was a baby and two weeks old past in your chair.
Riley later thanked her mother for “showing her that love is the most important thing in life,” adding:
“I hope I can love my daughter the way you love me The way you love my sisters, thank you for giving me heart, strength, empathy, and courage, character, manners, strength, perseverance. I am the product of your heart. My brother is a product of your heart, my sister is a product of your heart. We are you, you are us…I hope you finally know how much I love you here. Thank you for trying so hard for us. If I don’t say it every day, thank you.”
Our hearts just break for the Presley family.
Others who participated in the memorial included Jerry Schilling, Sarah Ferguson, Alanis Morissette, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corganand Pistols and roses singer Axl Rose. Axl said in his speech before playing the song Rainy November on the piano:
“I feel like sending a text message like this now, saying ‘I’m here,’ telling everyone how wonderful they are. I never in a million years imagined being here and especially in this situation. Lisa is loved and loved by many and will continue to be loved by all the people whose lives he touched.
Meanwhile, Alanis performed his song Rest when Billy played For Sheila. In a heart-wrenching tribute, Sarah told the crowd that she was standing “here with great honor because we called each other ‘sissy’.” The Duchess of York then quoted the deceased. Queen Elizabeth IIsaid:
“My mother-in-law said, ‘There is nothing we can say to take away the sadness and pain of this moment. Grief is the price we pay for love.’ How true she is. We see Priscilla as a mother to Lisa Marie. We see Lisa Marie, and say, you lost a son. A mother who lost a child – there are no words. Today we talk about action and action is the way we can move forward. For Riley , to Harper and Finley, and to the whole family, we are coming forward to support you – we are all with you and will help you as best we can – if you put out your hand, we will be there.
Our hearts go out to the Presley family on this painful day. You can see all the warning services (below):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xsai_RQSc
[Image via WENN, WENN/Avalon, Nicky Nelson/WENN]