CHICAGO — A former senior embalmer at the Memphis Funeral Home is auctioning off tools allegedly used to embalm and prepare Elvis Presley’s body in 1977 for a private viewing the day after he died.
For up to an estimated $8,000, Elvis fans on Aug. 12 will have a chance to splurge on a “John Doe” tag allegedly used on Elvis’ body at the hospital, along with rubber gloves, forceps, lip brushes, a comb and eye liner, needle injectors and aneurysm hooks allegedly used during the king of rock ‘n’ roll’s funeral preparations, according to Chicago-based Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, which is hosting the sale.
The items allegedly were used only once.
“We’ve done all kinds of things over the years, but this is definitely an unusual couple of lots,” Leslie Hindman said.
In previous auctions people have shelled out big bucks for anything belonging to the dead and famous. Clumps of Elvis’ dark strands have gone for about $18,000, and a syringe used on Abraham Lincoln on his death bed went for around $10,000, Hindman said.
Preparing Elvis for the viewing involved embalming his body, dressing him in a suit, applying makeup and dying his graying hair jet black, according to the auction house.
Also part of the collection for sale will be the coffin shipping invoice, the hanger to Elvis’ suit, his preparation room case report and case sheet.
Karl Kann, president of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Ill., said he thinks the embalmer crossed the line. He also questions the authenticity of the items.
“It doesn’t matter how famous they are, they put their trust in you,” Kann said, adding that morticians are not supposed to profit from doing their jobs.
The mystery senior embalmer could not be reached for comment. As part of his contract for the auction, he wanted to remain anonymous.
In October, Elvis fans opened their pocketbooks to buy clippings allegedly from Elvis’ 1958 haircut upon entering the military, a red Ultrasuede shirt he wore for a photo shoot and concert scarves he allegedly sweated on.
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