Hey there! As an expert in home design and an Elvis superfan, I‘m often asked if the King of Rock and Roll is truly laid to rest at his iconic Graceland estate. Let me walk you through the complete history and all the quirky facts surrounding Elvis‘ burial site. Get ready for the full story!
Graceland Gravesite: Where Exactly is Elvis Buried?
Elvis was laid to rest in the Meditation Garden at the back of Graceland on August 18, 1977. Graceland was Elvis‘ haven, so being buried there was incredibly fitting.
The Meditation Garden spans 2.5 peaceful acres that Elvis used for reflection. His grave is right at the heart of it, marked by a circle of white stones. According to records, his plot is about 30 feet from the back doors of the mansion itself.
Elvis‘ tombstone is humble, engraved simply: "Elvis Aaron Presley – January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977". But behind it stands a striking 8-foot white marble statue depicting Elvis with his arms outstretched.
At the statue‘s base is a bible verse Elvis cherished, Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Surrounding the grave, the Meditation Garden has stone pathways, towering trees, and a charming white gazebo. Hidden speakers even play Elvis‘ music faintly in the background.
Why No Burial Next to Gladys?
You‘d think Elvis would be buried beside his beloved mother Gladys, who passed in 1958, right? But his grave is actually across town from hers.
Elvis adored his mother deeply. In 1957, after purchasing Graceland, one of his first goals was to bring Gladys there so he could care for her himself.
When Gladys died in 1958, she was buried in Memphis’ Forest Hill Cemetery. Elvis grieved heavily, but did not relocate her remains.
Later, Elvis decided to turn a space at Graceland into a special burial ground for him and his family, rather than disturbing Gladys. He was laid to rest there in 1977 beside his father Vernon and grandparents instead.
The Temporary Relocation of Elvis‘ Remains
Here’s an interesting fact about the King – his body was actually moved shortly after burial!
Due to overcrowding and privacy concerns at Graceland, Elvis was relocated to Forest Hill Cemetery by his father on October 2, 1977 to lay beside Gladys.
However, someone tipped off the media about this secret relocation. Once fans discovered the King had been moved from Graceland, they flocked to Forest Hill Cemetery in huge crowds.
This uproar caused Vernon to move Elvis‘ body back to Graceland permanently in October 1977. Talk about literal fan devotion!
What Does the Gravesite Look Like Today?
If you visit Graceland today, you’ll find a beautiful memorial marking Elvis‘ final resting place.
Behind the humble grave, a stunning marble statue of Elvis stands over 8 feet tall, arms stretched out. The meticulous Marc Phillips-designed sculpture took over 9 months to craft and was installed in 1978.
The base displays a bible passage Elvis held dear, Jeremiah 31:8:
"He who brought them out of the north country and gathers them from the east and the west will say to them: ‘Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.‘"
This quote hints at Elvis’ belief he would one day be reunited with lost loved ones. The statue gazes down benevolently as fans pay respects below.
Who Else Rests at Graceland?
While Elvis is certainly the main resident, he‘s far from alone in his resting place:
- Parents Gladys and Vernon Presley
- Grandmother Minnie Mae Presley
- Great-grandmother Doll Smith
- Grandson Danny Keough
- Grandson Benjamin Keough
In total, 6 Presley family members are buried in the Meditation Garden, surrounding Elvis. It‘s clear this garden was designed as a family sanctuary.
Attendees and Absences from Elvis‘ Funeral
Elvis’ funeral on August 18, 1977 was a relatively small affair, attended by around 200 people. With Elvis’ larger-than-life persona, you may be surprised by who was absent:
- Ex-wife Priscilla Presley: Too grief-stricken to appear
- Colonel Tom Parker: Declined due to health issues
- Ann-Margret: Filming obligations prevented her attendance
Priscilla did reportedly send a gorgeous wreath of orchids to the service, now on display at Graceland. But she did not appear in person to say goodbye.
Inside Elvis’ Shocking Final Moments
In his final 24 hours, Elvis was restless, roaming Graceland’s rooms all night and popping pills. Around 7:30 AM on August 16, 1977, Elvis summoned friend Rick Stanley to his bathroom.
According to Stanley’s account, Elvis glanced in the mirror and remarked “I’m dead, son.” Stanley thought he was joking – but those would be the King’s tragic final words.
Around 9:30 AM, Elvis’ fiancée Ginger Alden discovered him collapsed on the bathroom floor, unconscious and not breathing. Attempts to revive him failed. He was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital at 3:30 PM.
Heart attack was named the official cause. But Elvis’ prescription drug abuse clearly also played a role in his untimely end.
Current Status of Elvis’ Private Planes
Elvis amassed an impressive air fleet during his career, including three private jets:
Convair 880 Jetliner
Nickname: None
Status: Sold in 1985 for $24,500
Lockheed Jetstar
Nickname: Hound Dog II
Status: Sold in 1985 for $750,000. Now a private jet.
Convair 880 Jetliner
Nickname: Lisa Marie
Status: Sold in 2014 for undisclosed amount. On display in Florida.
Though Elvis cherished his planes, they were sadly sold off by his estate after his passing. But their iconic designs live on today across different collectors and museums.
Mysterious Fourth Grave at Graceland
Here’s one eerie Graceland mystery yet to be solved: Who occupies the unmarked fourth grave?
Theories over the years include:
- Elvis’ stillborn twin Jesse
- Loyal friend or musician
- Beloved pet dog
Marked only by a stone etched “Peter Gerard Burrows", the occupant remains unknown. "Burrows" was a London monk – perhaps Elvis left the cryptic clue as a red herring.
Whether a morbid prank or containing someone‘s remains, the fourth grave adds one more dash of mystery to the Presley plot!
The Last Living Resident of Elvis‘ Graceland
After Elvis passed, Graceland sat empty of permanent residents for decades. But in 2006, his ex-wife Priscilla Presley moved back in.
Priscilla lived at Graceland with daughter Lisa Marie full-time from 2006-2016. She moved out after selling the estate to Lisa Marie in 2016.
Interestingly, neither Lisa Marie nor her kids live at Graceland permanently today. Priscilla was the last family member to reside in the Memphis mansion before it became a historic tourist venue.
Was that Really Elvis in Change of Habit?
Elvis fans often assume he appears as Dr. Carpenter in his last film, 1969’s Change of Habit. But surprisingly, that wasn’t Elvis!
Actor Edward Asner was cast as Dr. Carpenter instead, with Elvis intended to make just a cameo. But his schedule prevented even a brief role, so Asner filled in completely.
Only Elvis’ voice made it in – he recorded the song “Rubberneckin’” for the film credits. Despite his physical absence, the King still left his mark!
Accuracy of Baz Luhrmann‘s 2022 Elvis Biopic
Director Baz Luhrmann took some creative liberties in his 2022 Elvis biopic:
True to Life:
- Performances and music style
- Overall arc and spirit of Elvis‘ journey
- Costumes, sets, and nostalgic design
Altered or Simplified:
- Timelines condensed
- Complex relationships simplified
- Prescription drug abuse downplayed
While entertaining, the film sacrifices historical precision for drama. But newcomers will still get a feel for Elvis‘ life, even if not every detail rings true.
Free Graceland Activities For Thrifty Fans
If you‘re visiting Memphis on a budget, there‘s still plenty to do at Graceland completely free of charge:
- Explore the mansion grounds
- Tour Graceland Plaza
- Visit the Elvis Presley Memphis complex
- Catch outdoor concerts
- Access wifi and Graceland apps
- Enjoy the Meditation Garden
- Relax on the back lawn
You can experience the essence of Graceland without opening your wallet. But serious Elvis fans may want to spring for the full Graceland Mansion Tour!
Closed 2nd Floor of Graceland Mansion
When touring Graceland, visitors are confined only to the first floor – so what‘s behind that roped-off staircase?
Elvis‘ private 2nd floor master suite! Only Elvis‘ closest friends and family were allowed up there.
Out of respect for the King‘s privacy, upstairs remains strictly off-limits. Some claim his most prized possessions reside up there.
But don‘t worry, you can still see the Jungle Room, Trophy Building, racquetball court and all downstairs during your tour!
When Do Daily Graceland Tours Begin?
Graceland offers two daily public tour options:
Graceland Mansion Tour:
- 9 AM Start
- 2.5 Hours
- Mansion, Car Museum, Elvis Exhibits
Afternoon Tour:
- Starts 1:30 PM
- 2 Hours
- Mansion Only
Candlelight tours occur selectively at night. Arrive early, as spots fill fast!
VIP and private tours are also available to maximize your experience. But for most, the standard day tours will create an unforgettable adventure at the King‘s castle!
Well, that wraps up my ultimate guide to Elvis‘ final resting place and all that surrounds it! Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always glad to share Elvis knowledge and experiences. Thanks for letting me geek out!
