Riley Keough has finished training to become a death doula, following the tragic passing of her brother Benjamin in July last year aged 27.
Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, 31, took to Instagram to inform fans that she has been certified as an End of Life doula to support people with terminal illnesses before and after their deaths.
Sharing a quote from poet Rumi, Riley wrote: ‘Today I finished my Death Doula training, on The Art of Death Midwifery training course by @sacredcrossings so I guess I’m an almost certified death doula now hehe
Helping others: Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough revealed on Sunday that she has finished training to become a death doula after her brother Benjamin sadly took his own life
‘And I just felt like writing such a deep thank you to this community who are teaching and training people in conscious dying and death work.
‘We are taught that its a morbid subject to talk about. Or were so afraid of it that we’re unable to talk about it… then of course it happens to us, and we are very ill prepared.
‘I think it’s so important to be educated on conscious dying and death the way we educate ourselves on birth and conscious birthing.
‘We prepare ourselves so rigorously for the entrance and have no preparation for our exit. So I’m so grateful for this community and to be able to contribute what I can. Thank you Olivia’
Tragic loss: Benjamin (pictured) died in July last year aged 27 when he shot himself dead after arguing with his girlfriend
Certified: Speaking about her training, Riley said: ‘I think it’s so important to be educated on conscious dying and death the way we educate ourselves on birth and conscious birthing’
A death doula is someone who provides emotional and physical comfort and support to those in Hospices, Hospitals, and Care Homes.
The Sacred Crossings’ certificate in The Art of Death Midwifery provides classes on what it means to die, how to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to those who are dying and their family, and to provide support after a person’s death.
In October it was revealed that Riley’s brother Benjamin had cocaine and alcohol in his system when he shot himself dead after arguing with his girlfriend.
Assistance: A death doula is someone who provides emotional and physical comfort and support to those with terminal illnesses before and after death
Training: The Sacred Crossings’ certificate in The Art of Death Midwifery provides classes on what it means to die, and how to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support
At the time, sources revealed he’d been ‘struggling’ and that his death, while devastating, was not a ‘huge surprise’ to his mother or other relatives.
Surveillance footage showed him having an argument with his girlfriend, Diana Pinto, in the backyard of their home.
He then went inside, locked himself in a bathroom, placed a gun in his mouth and shot himself.
Loss: In October it was revealed that Riley’s brother Benjamin had cocaine and alcohol in his system when he shot himself dead after arguing with his girlfriend Diana Pinto (pictured)
Gone too soon: Benjamin had tried to take his life six months earlier, then spent three weeks in rehab four months before he died
Pinto heard the gunshot, went inside and had to use a bobby pin to gain access to the bathroom. She found him dead and called police.
It’s unclear how much alcohol or cocaine he had in his system but there were traces of both, according to the report which was released by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.
The report also described Keough’s history with mental illness.
He had tried to take his life six months earlier, then spent three weeks in rehab four months before he died.
Keough was the son of Lisa Marie and musician Danny Keough, her first of four husbands. The pair were together from 1988 until 1994.
Benjamin’s grandmother Priscilla, 75, married Elvis Presley in 1967 but they divorced six years later. They had only daughter Lisa Marie in 1968. Elvis died just nine years later.
For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org for details; In the US call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Family: Benjamin was the son of musician Danny Keough, who married Lisa Marie Presley in 1988 and divorced her in 1994