Michael Jackson’s burial took place today at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, 70 days after his death on June 25.  Around 200 family and friends attended the private outdoor ceremony. Some of the celebrities included Elizabeth Taylor, Lisa Marie Presley, Barry Bonds, Macaulay Culkin and Corey Feldman. Debbie Rowe had been invited but did not attend and neither did Diana Ross. 

The service started an hour and a half late at 8:35 p.m. PT, as some members of the family were delayed in arriving, and took place outside of the Great Mausoleum. The hearse carrying Michael Jackson, escorted by two police motorcycles, arrived immediately after the last of the  family members. Michael Jackson’s three children Paris, Prince and Blanket placed a gold crown on their father’s coffin before the service began. Gladys Knight  sang “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”  and songwriter Clifton Davis performed the signature Jackson 5 hit he wrote “Never Can Say Goodbye”. Joe Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton spoke remembering Michael Jackson and saying their goodbyes.

Just before 10 p.m. local time, Michael Jackson was interred in a crypt at Holly Terrace, one of 11 hallways located inside the Great Mausoleum.

The Jackson family has postponed Michael Jackson’s burial at Glendale Forest Lawn’s Great Mausoleum until  September 3. Originally he was to be buried on August 29th, which would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday. There had been miscommunication between family members and some had objected to burying Michael Jackson on his birthday, therefore the reason for the change of burial date. 

The funeral service for family and friends will now take place on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park.