Jackson's memorial, funeral details remain mystery

Photo credit: Urbanite

(AP photo: outside the Staples Center yesterday)

By Marlene Naanes

One thing about Michael Jackson’s mysterious public memorial service is clear: Scores of fans want to go but the vast majority won’t be able to.

While details on the event remain unclear, more than 1.6 million people registered for the ticket drawing for tomorrow’s public memorial service. About 8,750 people were notified yesterday that they received a pair of free tickets to attend the memorial tomorrow at the Staples Center in Los Angeles or watch it simulcast nearby.

The police are poised to handle a crush of non-ticket holders trying to get close to the service. They are employing an elaborate security detail, which includes closing the streets around the Staples Center and placing wristbands on ticket holders to prevent scalping.

Despite the hype, the family said no details on what exactly will transpire during the service will be released beforehand.Also hazy is the pop star’s funeral service. The Los Angeles police only confirmed the Jackson family is planning a private ceremony at Hollywood Hills’ Forest Lawn cemetery but did not release any details.

Other reports said a burial could be as soon as today at Forest Lawn, making it unclear whether Jackson’s body will be reposed at tomorrow’s public memorial, according to The New York Post. The Post also said the burial could be as late as next week as some in the Jackson clan hope that red tape can be cleared so he can be buried at his beloved Neverland ranch.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s siblings reportedly are planning on performing together at live tribute performances, using video footage taken of the King of Pop rehearsing for his would-be upcoming tour, according to the Post. The siblings involved include Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and possibly Janet and La Toya.

Where the tribute will take place is unclear, but the Post reported it could take place as early as July 13, the date Jackson’s tour would have launched in London, or sometime in August and could include multiple shows around the world.

(With AP)

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Michael Jackson fans who aren’t fortunate enough to score a ticket to the King of Pop’s Los Angeles memorial aren’t completely out of luck. Here are details on how to catch the ceremony from New York:

-The memorial airs live at 1 p.m. Tuesday on ABC, CNN, E! Entertainment, MSNBC and NBC.

-It will be broadcast from the Staples Center and will not include Jackson’s funeral service, which will be held privately at another time and place. No details about the public event have been released.

-At least one video screen in Times Square will show the memorial live. MTV confirmed its screen, on Broadway between West 44th and 45th Streets, will broadcast the video feed from the Staples Center.

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