On a hot Southern California night, close friends joined parents, brothers and sisters and three children to say goodbye to the late Michael Jackson.
They came for an intimate funeral ceremony for a star laid to rest.
Lisa Marie Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, Chris Tucker, Mila Kunis and others arrived at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., Thursday.
As Jackson’s backup dancers served as ushers, his brothers, wearing black armbands and a sequined glove on one hand, carried his flower-covered casket.
The private, intimate gathering was a stark contrast to the internationally telecast and star-studded memorial service at Los Angeles’ Staples Center July 7.
Jackson’s three children, Paris (with new haircut), Prince and Blanket, placed a crown on their father’s coffin to forever mark his place as the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson (1958-2009).
Michael's brother said that Michael's three children each wrote letters to their father that will lie with him alongside one of his signature white gloves.
After a prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith and a gospel sung by Gladys Knight, Clifton Davis performed the Jackson 5 song he wrote, “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
After the ceremony, the brothers carried the casket to the Grand Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Mortuary, where at 9:43 p.m. MJ entered his final resting place.
Unless you believe Michael Jackson is alive, that is.
Afterwards, his family issued this statement:
"Once again we thank all of Michael Jackson’s fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time. Their expressions of love for Michael and his music have sustained the Jackson Family."
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8 Comments
September 4th, 2009 10:24 AM
On behalf of all the Filipino fans in the Philippines,we offer our prayers that hopefully the family would recover,if not that fast but without any hesitation.for mj's soul,we do hope that he find rael peace where ever he is right now..rest assurance,in God's embrace..
September 4th, 2009 10:45 AM
Mj we love you and we miss you so much!!!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2009 8:15 PM
WE LOVE U AND WE MISS YOU , YOUR MUSIC AND YOUR LEGECY WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR MEMORY WE WILL NEVER FORGET U. WE LOVE U MJ REST IN PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 5th, 2009 8:20 AM
We shall meet again
September 5th, 2009 10:29 AM
YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON MY FRIEND, FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD OUR HEARTS MOURN. WISH YOU WERE STILL HERE, THEY SAY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG YOU WERE THE BEST 'RIP MJ' XXXX
September 6th, 2009 1:48 AM
You were way to young to die. I miss you already, because I know there will never be another MJ or a King of Pop. My heart goes out to your family, and everything they have had to endure. Rest in peace my friend!
September 6th, 2009 5:00 PM
finally it is so sad to see someone as great as michael jacskon die i love his music so much as an 11 year old all i wanted for my b-day was michael jackson stuff and that is what i got i hope that he is at peace and that certen people can be kind enought to leave the family alone hint hint papparatzi i love his kids prince michael jackson 1st is so cute rip michael jackson
September 9th, 2009 11:23 AM
BYE BYE MJ,WE WILL MEET AGAIN...R.I.P