The King's Final Rest: A Look Back at Elvis Presley's Funeral

The death of Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977, sent shockwaves around the world, leaving fans in stunned silence. The news of the music legend's passing marked the end of an era, and the subsequent funeral was a grand affair that drew international attention.

The funeral, held on August 18, 1977, was a carefully choreographed event that paid tribute to the man who was affectionately known as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll." Thousands of fans gathered at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, to bid farewell to a man who had captured their hearts with his music.

Preparations for the Funeral

In the days leading up to the funeral, the city of Memphis was abuzz with activity. Casket houses, florists, and other businesses reported a surge in demand, as fans and well-wishers sought to find ways to pay their respects to the fallen music icon.

Dr. George Thomas, the pastor at the Mason Temple, recalled the planning process in an interview with the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

"We knew it would be a big event, but we had no idea how massive it would be. The viewing was a huge deal. We had over 75,000 people come through that line in two hours, and that was just for the viewing. We had burials and funerals and other events going on at the same time."

Charles Boyle's Funeral Director: A Hero's Welcome

Elvis Presley's funeral was undertaken by Charles Boyle Funeral Home, a Memphis-based funeral home that had handled many of the city's most prominent funerals. Dave Smart, a former funeral director at Charles Boyle Funeral Home, spoke with the Commercial Appeal about the preparations:

"We were approached by Priscilla to plan the funeral, and we were honored to do so. We had to prepare for the possibility of 10,000 to 15,000 people showing up, which was a conservative estimate. We had to prepare for the music, the eulogies, and the reception, which would become an essential part of the funeral.

The Funeral Proceedings

The funeral began at 2:00 p.m. on August 18, 1977. The atmosphere was solemn, as thousands of fans, friends, and family gathered at the Mason Temple to pay their respects. Relatives and friends, including Priscilla Presley and Vernon Presley, the King's father, spoke about their memories of Elvis.

Also, the nation and world paid respects during the broadcast of the survivors.

Among those paying their respects were Gladys Presley, the King's mother, who had passed away in 1958, but was remembered during the occasion by Elvis's dad Verden Presley.