Friends and Family Say Goodbye to the King of Pop

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 3rd 2009 09:11PM

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was finally laid to rest in a private burial ceremony on Thursday evening, 70 days after his death. The Jackson family arrived 90 minutes late to the service at Forest Lawn Glendale. Among the high-profile guests attending the private service were Elizabeth Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Al Sharpton and many other friends of Jackson and his family. A media camera feed was allowed inside in the hours before the ceremony, but cut off once Jackson's body arrived, leaving little to no information as to what happened during the service.

A police escort ushered the Jackson family motorcade of 31 cars, including Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, to the solemn event. The planned start of the service came and went as the crowd of about 200 awaited the arrival of Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine and the singer's children. The motorcade from their Encino compound departed more than a half-hour after the funeral was to begin.

At the funeral service, a large, inflated production light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hung over the seating area placed in front of the grand marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility the footage would be used for the Jackson documentary "This Is It."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=711205&pid=711204&uts=1252061698

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/music/?s_channel=us.musicpop&s_account=aolnews,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

The Michael Jackson Funeral

Michael Jackson's children and father arrive to the late singer's funeral, an invite-only event held at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park. See More Arrivals To the Funeral >>>

AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

Michael Jackson Snapshots

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Singer Jermaine Jackson arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Jackson

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Producer Suzanne De Passe arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Suzanne De Passe

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Rev. Al Sharpton arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Sharpton

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Actor Cory Feldman arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cory Feldman

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Composer Quincey Jones arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Quincey Jones

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: The exterior of Villa Sorriso restaurant where a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson was held on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

A family spokesman later revealed some details about the memorial itself.

The service began when Jackson's three children -- Prince, Paris and Blanket -- placed a crown on their dad's coffin. Gladys Knight performed 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow' and directed guests to sing the Lord's prayer together. Speakers included the Rev. Al Sharpton and Jackson's father, Joseph.

The pallbearers were Jackson's five brothers -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy -- who wore sequin gloves on their left hands as they carried the coffin to his crypt.

The outdoor ceremony lasted about an hour.

CNN Featured a Look at the Invite to the Event:

Among the other celebrities to attend the service:
- Barry Bonds
- Macaulay Culkin
- Mila Kunis
- Chris Tucker
- Gladys Knight
- Kenny Ortega (choreographer)
- Corey Feldman
- Lisa Marie Presley

The Reverend Al Sharpton took to Twitter from his cell phone before the ceremony started. He texted of mingling with Jackson lawyer Tom Mesereau, who represented Jackson in his child molestation case. A peek at Sharpton's words from inside the ceremony, taken from http://twitter.com/TheRevAl.

Other Hollywood legends are also buried in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn, including Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields are buried.

Jackson's funeral doesn't end the legal drama over his death at age 50, which authorities have labeled a homicide. No criminal charges have been filed over his June 25 death, which came on the cusp of London concerts meant to restore Jackson to his once-incandescent stardom.

Last week, coroner's officials said they believed Jackson's death was homicide, and his death certificate has been amended to reflect that. It cites "injection by another" as the fatal injury.

Investigators have said a mix of the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative killed the pop singer. The new record lists "acute propofol intoxication" as the main cause of death and "benzodiazepine effect" as another significant contributor.

The certificate does not mention Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician. He told detectives that he gave the singer a series of sedatives and propofol to try to help him sleep.

The coroner's determination of homicide makes it easier for prosecutors to seek criminal charges, but does not necessarily mean a crime was committed.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=710172&pid=710171&uts=1252032022

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolnews,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Fans Remember Michael Jackson

Since Michael Jackson's death on June 25, fans have been mourning his death with candlelight vigils, 'Thriller' dances and more. See their tributes. >>

Getty Images

Tags: michael jackson, michael jackson burial, michael jackson funeral, MichaelJackson, MichaelJacksonBurial, MichaelJacksonFuneral

Comments

(507)

Thursday 03 September

By pamela shaw

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I personaly don't care what the man did in the past, he's gone. Let the man rest in peace. We all deserve that much. tink

By illinoisfriend

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

He was a creepy child molester, who is getting needless attention. Who really cares except those who may profit from his death. He should have been on a horror movie the way he looked, and thank god big al sharpton is there. Now he is a real piece of work. Where is Jesse, he needs to be there to so he can be in the spotlight. What a bunch of losers.

By digger

Vote down Vote up Report this

excellent commentary...and thank you for it.

By homecareking

So much B.S. going on. All this secretive planning by the jackson's just to bury mj. Something is just not right. Who is really in mj's coffin. I havent seen any proof that he is really in that thing. It would have seemed appropriate to have had a open casket viewing prior to being layed to rest for eternity. But no such thing ever was. Even in death im sure Mj would have wanted to go out in style. Is there something the jacksons failed to tell the public ? Show me real proof that MJ is really dead then i'll knock off the assumptions of him fakeing his own death. In this world anything can be done with the right assistance and money. After Mj was acquitted in 1993 he took off for awhile never to be seen but then he returned. As you can see he can vanish at will if he wanted to . What makes anyone think it couldn't happen again. Food for thought..... hmmmmmmmm

Saturday 05 September

By Bev

According to news reports his burial service was open casket and that is why all cameras were turned off.

By Dave

Enough Already! Jackson is dead! His family is extorting his money as if it were theirs. The news media just eats this up. He sang well and THAT IS ALL. His personal life was wasted on drugs, and child molesting. Not someone I would idolize.

By Janet

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

HE WAS NOT A CHILD MOLESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JURY VERDICT: INNOCENT = NOT GUILTY!

RIP MJ

By suzzie

Some of the comments on here are from people who forgot their appointment at the memtal health clinic. Get your medicine.

Friday 04 September

By deb

Yeah rob..no one will want to eat you when you pass,, Probably not even your woman now if you have one..lol.That made feel so good.

By Marie

He should have been put to rest immediately after his death. And hopefully in peace. Why would any family want to keep any carcass for two months??? Let us living people REST ALIVE and be able to hear more important news of issues that will affect us, our kids and our grandkids. Get real People, was he all that GREAT!!! NEVER. There was people that walked on the real moon before he came out with the moon walk and never got that much publicity. WHAT has this world became???? Makes YOU wonder!!!

By jerimalibu

What the hell? Poor guy,.who I have the utmost adoration for,.over two months later his Family lays him to rest? They are truly idiots. R.I.P Michael. Now you can be a Child in Gods eyes.

with you shane.....over it long ago

By NotaFan

The Jacksons are just sick. Seriously? Movie cameras and equipment to film it so they can cash in even more? These people are drunk on money, and whatever power thet think thet have.

What a great dad. Cocaine laying around, along with weed. On top of all of the other drugs he was taking. You must have some pretty serious sleep demons to need to be knocked out via IV drugs for surgery, just so you can sleep at night. THE KIND OF DEMONS PEOPLE CARRY AROUND FROM BEING GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY.

He was a druggie who killed himself doing what druggies do-drugs. When did he have time to be this great father?

His mother is every bit as evil as his father. Guilty of not protecting her own children. What makes anyone think at 79 she can protect his?

They need to all go away. The only chance those children have at turning out anything close to normal is to get them away from the Jackson's exploitation, and with their mothers.

By datruthisscary

Ya mean those same "mother's" who sold them? No reason they shouldn't be able to cash in as well, huh?(lol)

HAPPY COMMENTING, and do keep it classy. Those who can't get off here. You are only talking trash talk and we don't want to read your brain dead thoughts.

By D

Then don't read it; freedom of speech, remember?

By nate

this is funny. a bunch of people getting all upset and bent out of shape over some guy you never knew personaly. worry about your own life and family and leave his alone. you people are messed up in the head. get a life!

By scott miller

Finally the king of weirdness is in the ground? Knowing this dysfunctional family of nitwits and misfits, they'll probably exhume him every six months for the media attention. It is sad, however, he would probably have been happier in life if he'd just come out of the closet and be a gay little chorus dancer, rather than pretend to be a king of anything...pencil thin arms in a black leather jacket and that high squeaky voice singing, 'I'm bad, I'm bad' was truly hilarious though! Horrible singer, shoulda just been a dancer. let's finally put this BORING news to bed now...it's long rotten and spoiled. Get over it, read a book instead, one without pictures. It'll do you good. Or develop an interest in Obama...a much better role model.

By JJAlabama

He was made up of so much plastic, the dude was probably RECYCLED. But, he was a pretty good singer, so in the interest of karma...Requiescant In Pace, Michael. Or however you spell it, I've forgotten.

By EMS

Could the father have been interred at the same time? What a jerk!

Page 5 of 26