Friends and family pay their respects to the late King of Pop

Sep 4, 2009 08:25 GMT  ·  By
Usher singing next to Michael Jackson’s casket at the Staples Center public memorial service
   Usher singing next to Michael Jackson’s casket at the Staples Center public memorial service

Precisely ten weeks after he passed away, Michael Jackson has been buried in an extraordinary ceremony that saw 200 of his closest friends and relatives come together at the Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale, LA Times informs. There were no paparazzi and no fans allowed this time, as A-list celebrities and people who have stood by Michael through thick and thin gathered to pay their respects before his body was finally laid to rest.

Security was tight, with police forces sending too-eager fans away from the premises ever since the early hours of morning. A wide area around the cemetery was blocked, allowing only the motorcade bearing the entire Jackson clan to enter the perimeter – more than an hour later than the scheduled time to start the service. The hearse carrying Michael’s body was also part of the motorcade.

“The service, scheduled for sunset, became a nighttime gathering as guests awaited the late arrival of Jackson’s family. They were ferried through the park’s towering gates in a fleet of luxury cars and took their places in the front row of white folding chairs.” LA Times writes of the funeral service that is being said to have come with “extraordinary” costs. The Jackson brothers all wore black suits and red ties, with armbands emblazoned with a crown, a nod to Michael’s onstage moniker of King of Pop. Just like back in July, at the Staples Center memorial service, they also wore silver, sequined gloves in honor of their late brother.

Michael’s children were also present. At some point during the service, reports in the media say, they took a few last minutes with their father, placing hand-written letters in his coffin, as well as a crown. Michael was also buried with one of his trademark gloves, LA Times says. The 200-people crowd also included Michael’s closest friends, like Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who arrived early in a wheelchair, and Macaulay Culkin, who came accompanied by his girlfriend, Mila Kunis.

“Among the mourners were many of the touchstones of his life: Elizabeth Taylor, who arrived in a Maybach; former child star Macaulay Culkin; lawyer Thomas A. Mesereau Jr., who successfully defended Jackson from child molestation charges; and choreographer-director Kenny Ortega, who was directing Jackson’s planned London concerts. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Marlon Brando’s son Miko and comic Chris Tucker were also there. Music producer Quincy Jones, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, and veteran music industry executive Suzanne de Passe, who were all profoundly involved in Jackson’s professional development, also attended, as did Lisa Marie Presley, one of Jackson’s former wives.” LA Times further says.

Fans have already been told by Glendale authorities and cemetery staff that they will not be granted access to Michael Jackson’s grave. 24-hour security cameras and the guards will make sure no incident takes place.