Star will reportedly not be laid to rest at Forest Lawn

Jul 8, 2009 06:56 GMT  ·  By
Commemorative Michael Jackson Program offered to fans during the ceremony at Staples Center in LA
   Commemorative Michael Jackson Program offered to fans during the ceremony at Staples Center in LA

Even in death, Michael Jackson continues to be shrouded in mystery. The star, who tried to live his entire life in privacy and away from the prying eye of the media, continues to be just as secretive in death. His burial place is yet unknown, as also is the day when the ceremony will take place, as TMZ can confirm.

Initial reports had it that Michael’s body would be laid to rest at the exclusive Forest Lawn, where it was also held before the two memorial ceremonies of a few hours ago, the private and the public one at Staples Center in Los Angeles. While they were never confirmed, it was assumed that Michael Jackson would be laid to rest there, since it was clear that part of the family was opposed to the idea of burying him at Neverland. While no confirmation of the burial place has been offered as of now, TMZ says that one thing is certain: Michael Jackson will not be laid to rest at Forest Lawn.

“We’re told Jackson will not be buried at Forest Lawn. We checked with Neverland and with law enforcement in the area and it’s almost certain the body won’t be going there. We’ve also checked with various cemeteries in the L.A. area and so far we can’t find any place where it looks like Jackson will be buried. […] The body will go somewhere else pending final burial – we don’t know where that is. If a casket goes to Forest Lawn, it’s a decoy. We’ve learned the death certificate lists Forest Lawn as the responsible mortuary because the body was embalmed there – but the rest is being kept secret.” TMZ writes in two separate, recent posts. TMZ is the same media outlet to be the first to break the story of Michael’s sudden death.

As we also informed you the other day, several reports claim that the late singer will be laid to rest without his brain, as it’s being held for neuropathology tests. These are meant to determine things that the two autopsies performed could not do, namely whether Michael had a history of drug abuse or whether he had ever OD’ed before dying. Given that said tests could last anything up to 17-18 days and that they can be performed only two weeks after death, it is believed the Jackson family has agreed to bury him without the brain.

Word in the media has it that the Jackson family will not release the details of the burial time and place. However, should anything transpire, rest assured you’ll find about it here.