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Lessons from Lisa Marie Presley: Make Estate Plans and Funeral Arrangements

By Catherine Hodder, Esq. | Last updated on

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, died in 2023. She left behind her memoir, which her daughter, Riley Keough, completed. In the book From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie details her grief after her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide at age 27. She admitted to keeping her son’s body in a coffin with dry ice for two months before burying him at Graceland, Elvis’ home in Memphis, TN.

California law gives a family the right to refuse embalming before burial as long as the body is under refrigeration or in a sealed container.  Part of the delay was due to Presley's indecision of whether she should bury her son in Hawaii or Graceland.

Death is hard for those left behind.  It also underscores the need for proactive planning to take the burden off your loved ones. The best way to do this is by making funeral arrangements and estate planning documents.

The Importance of Making Funeral Arrangements

By making funeral arrangements, you not only have peace of mind that your wishes are honored, but it also relieves the strain on your loved ones from making these decisions during their time of grief.

When you pre-plan your funeral, you can detail your personal preferences of how you would like your body prepared and where you would like your remains kept. Some details you would want to decide:

  • Funeral Service – Do you prefer a church service or a memorial? Or would you prefer a celebration of life? What music or readings would you like?
  • Body Disposition – Do you want to be buried, cremated, or have a green burial? Where do you want your body buried? Where would you want your ashes scattered? You may want to state your preference, keeping in mind there are laws about spreading remains.

Additionally, by either pre-planning or pre-paying for funeral expenses, you take the emotional or economic burden off your family. For example, coffins can range from $3,000 to over $10,000. By making certain selections, you can prevent your family from emotionally overspending on funeral costs.

Why Estate Planning Is Essential

Celebrity deaths often leave behind important estate planning lessons. The Presley family is no exception. After her passing, there was a question of who would retain custody of Lisa Marie’s children: ex-husband Danny Keogh or Grandmother Priscilla Presley. There was also uncertainty about who would control her trust, which includes the Graceland estate: her mother and former business manager, Barry Siegel, as co-trustees or her daughter, Riley Keough. Had there been better estate planning, these questions would have been answered.

Preparing critical estate planning documents protects you and your family during an incapacity or death. It provides continuity for family support during a crisis. Key components of a comprehensive estate plan include:

  • A last will and testament. In a will, you identify your property and who you want to receive it, you appoint someone to manage your estate and name a guardian to care for your minor children. With a will, you give clear instructions, avoiding misunderstandings or conflicts within your family. Additionally, you can streamline the probate process with a will. If you die without a will, a court must follow state intestacy laws to determine who inherits. A will identifies your property and your beneficiaries saving time and money in probate court.
  • A power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document where you appoint someone you trust as your agent or attorney-in-fact to handle financial decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. Having an agent under a power of attorney is especially important if you have a mental or physical incapacity. Without a power of attorney, your loved ones may have to ask a court to appoint a conservator to handle your affairs.
  • A healthcare directive and living will. This document allows you to outline your wishes for medical care and end-of-life care and treatment. You can also name someone as your healthcare agent or proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf and follow your instructions. Within your healthcare directive, you can also leave instructions about organ donation and funeral and burial arrangements.
  • Making beneficiary designations: Bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance policies transfer outside of a will and go to designated beneficiaries. Make sure all your accounts and policies have updated beneficiary designations.

Creating a comprehensive estate plan provides peace of mind to you and your family members, knowing that your affairs will be handled according to your wishes.

Presley’s passing highlights the importance of making funeral arrangements and estate plans. With proper planning, you can ensure your wishes are honored and relieve your loved ones from making difficult decisions during a time of grief. Take proactive steps now to create a will, designate powers of attorney, and outline your funeral preferences to provide peace of mind for yourself and your family.

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