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.
Michael Jackson will be buried on his birthday, August 29, as stated in a press release from Sunshine, Sachs & Associates on behalf of the Jackson family. The burial will take place at 10 a.m. PST in the Great Mausoleum’s Holly Terrace at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. It will be a private ceremony to be attended by family and close friends. Media will be allowed nearby the park.