Lisa Marie Presley and her grief counselor, David Kessler were considering launching a podcast together to help people "struggling with the heartbreak of grief."
Trigger Warning: The following content contains mention of suicide and grief, which may be distressing to some readers.
Lisa Marie Presley's grief counselor, whom she consulted with after her son's death, is speaking up about the late star's wish to become an advocate for those who are grieving. David Kessler, a friend of Presley's, described her as a "loyal daughter and devoted mother," in an Instagram tribute to the late star that he shared on Friday.
Benjamin Keogh, Presley's son, died by suicide at the age of 27. Presley, shattered by his death, started working towards raising more awareness about grief and the tools to deal with it, per PEOPLE. Kessler wrote that her journey of losing her son motivated her to "work toward becoming an advocate for those who are struggling with the heartbreak of grief."
Presley met Kessler when she was part of his grief educator program. He added, "She had her challenges but always faced them," and that she was so humble that many in his group "who met her and chatted with her had no idea who she was." He wrote, "To them, she was a mother, whose son had died and wanted to turn her pain into purpose."
Her priority, according to Kessler, "were family, love for music, maintaining her father's legacy, and helping others," and the two were even considering launching a podcast together. Kessler also detailed the 54-year-final old's days in the post, including her recent trip to Memphis, Tennessee, where she had planned to join fans in celebrating what would have been her deceased father's 88th birthday at Graceland.
He remarked, having accompanied her to the celebration, "Last weekend was so much fun and she was optimistic." He wrote, "Graceland was her happy place and the employees who all knew her shared that she was looking so much better. She looked more at peace and was so proud of the Elvis movie."
On the trip, she met a mother who had recently lost a loved one. Kessler noted that Presley "tenderly" talked to the heartbroken mother, empathizing with her on her loss. "That's what interested her most these days, helping others in grief," he wrote.
Kessler further shared a very moving aspect of the trip, where Presley showed him where she wanted to be laid to rest. "Saturday night we sat at the graves of her father and son. We talked about the heartbreak she grew up with and the more recent devastation of her son's death. She showed me where she would be buried someday. I said a long time from now … and she said yes, I have so much to do."
Presley, Elvis and Priscilla Presley's only child, passed away on Thursday at the age of 54 after being taken to the hospital for what might have been a cardiac arrest. At Graceland, Lisa Marie Presley's remains will be interred close to those of her son Benjamin Keough, per PEOPLE. Benjamin is currently buried at Meditation Garden in Memphis, which serves as the final resting place for Elvis, his mother Gladys, his father Vernon, and his grandmother Minnie Mae Presley.
References:
https://people.com/music/grief-counselor-who-met-with-lisa-marie-presley-following-sons-death/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnXOGDopTQM/
https://people.com/music/lisa-marie-presley-dead-laid-to-rest-at-graceland-next-to-son-benjamin/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Scott Gries
