Elvis funeral – Daughter Lisa Marie hid a particular present in The King’s coffin
Elvis died at on August 16, 1977, within the early afternoon. He had been discovered on the ground at residence and rushed to hospital the place he was pronounced useless at 3.30pm.
His physique was introduced residence and the funeral occurred on August 18 at 2pm, UP to 80,000 individuals had flocked to the home and funeral route, however solely 200 had been there for the small personal ceremony.
They included Elvis’ father and grandmother, Vernon and Minnie Mae Presley, different relations and the Memphis Mafia.
Five of The King’s earlier companions had been in attendance: ex-wife Priscilla, fiancée Ginger Alden, Linda Thompson, Viva Las Vegas co-star Ann Margret and backing singer Kathy Westmoreland.
Daughter Lisa Marie was simply 9 years outdated and had some particular; personal ultimate moments together with her father earlier than the funeral.
Elvis’ physique had lain in an open casket downstairs at Graceland all through the day past, August 17.
Vernon had requested the star’s hairdresser and religious adviser, Larry Geller, to chop and magnificence his hair. The sideburns had been re-dyed and make-up utilized.
Vernon had overruled everybody and insisted on a public viewing in order that the tens of hundreds of mourning followers gathered exterior had their likelihood to say goodbye – and he wished his son to look his greatest.
Estimates mentioned the group exterior stretched as much as a mile again. It was 90 levels and a few fainted from the warmth and emotion.
At 3pm, the door had been opened and it is estimated that as much as 30,000 filed previous earlier than it was essential to shut up the home as a result of the warmth was beginning to have an effect on The King’s physique.
What no person knew as they paid their ultimate respects was that there was a secret present hidden from sight within the coffin.
Before the general public was allowed in, funeral Director Robert Kendall later recounted that Lisa had approached the coffin however by no means raised her eyes to look inside.
Apparently, she had mentioned: “Mister Kendall, can I give this to my daddy?” She held out her hand and confirmed a skinny metallic bangle, a bracelet.
There was an issue that Kendall (and Priscilla) instantly noticed however though they tried to dissuade her however Lisa Marie was decided.
Kendall relented however he knew how upsetting it will be for Lisa Marie to put the bracelet on her father herself. So he walked the younger lady to the coffin and requested her the place she would really like the bracelet to go.
She pointed to her personal proper wrist. Kendall lifted up Elvis’ proper arm and slipped the piece of jewelry on. He later mentioned she additionally requested him if it will keep in place ceaselessly, and he replied that it will.
As Lisa Marie left the room, Priscilla turned again to Kendall with one final instruction.
Priscilla Presley requested that the bracelet ought to be hid beneath Elvis’s shirt sleeve. A precaution, in case any fan all of the sudden tried to take a final memento.
Indeed, one distant member of the family really managed to sneak a secret picture of the King in his casket which was bought to the National Enquirer, however no person ever realised there was a hidden bracelet on his wrist.
Yet extra extraordinary scenes unfurled earlier than the funeral when an out-of-control automobile smashed into the gates of the mansion, killing two feminine followers and critically injuring one other.
After the ceremony, 80,000 individuals lined the path to Forest Hill Cemetery, the place Elvis was laid to relaxation within the enormous household mausoleum subsequent to his mom.
Two weeks afterward August 29, there was an simply (some say suspiciously) foiled try to dig up the physique which gave Elvis’ household grounds to demand his coffin be moved to Graceland for safety.
Permission was given on September 28 and Elvis’ physique was moved completely to Graceland on October 3.