Michael Jackson's Final Resting Place
Why Michael Jackson Can Not Be Buried at Neverland
Jul 1, 2009
Bob Achermann, the executive director of the California Funeral Directors Association has told Suite101 that in California, unless they are cremated, human remains can only be buried in a licensed cemetery.
Michael Jackson’s family had wanted Jackson to be buried at Neverland, and according to the LA Times, a source close to the situation says Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had agreed to help clear any state bureaucratic hurdles.
However plans to bury Jackson at the 2,500-acre estate in the hills of Santa Barbara County had to be abandoned after officials failed to find a way around legal restrictions around burials at private residences.
Only Ashes May Be Taken to Private Homes
Achermann says ashes can be taken to a private home or mausoleum, but that there are also California laws regarding the scattering of ashes.
“If people want to scatter ashes into the sea or into the air, they also need to get a license from the state. It all comes back to someone who tried to scatter ashes from a plane, but rather than scatter, the ashes all ended up in the one place.”
Elvis Presley Buried at Graceland
Elvis Presley was originally buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis. His grave was later exhumed and moved to Graceland, along with his mother's grave and her original headstone, after Elvis' tomb was tampered with.
Jackson’s former wife, Lisa Marie Presley wrote on her myspace blog that Jackson told her that he was afraid that his life would end much like Elvis’ did. She wrote:
“I can’t recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Father’s death.
At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, “I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did.”
Despite Elvis’ final resting place being in his former home, California’s health and safety code prohibits the practice, making the interring of any human remains that have not been cremated outside of a cemetery a misdemeanour.
Mayor Wants Jackson Buried In Gary, Indiana
The mayor of Gary, Indiana, where Jackson was born has offered to build a museum to mark his life, and says he would like Jackson to be buried there.
Mayor Rudy Clay told The Times Online "If they can do it for Elvis Presley in Graceland, we can do it for Michael Jackson in Gary."
Michael Jackson Memorial at the Staples Centre
A public memorial service was held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Tuesday 7th of July. Jackson's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event which followed an earlier private funeral at Forest Lawn cemetery.
Jackson's daughter, 11 year old Paris, told gathered friends, family members and fans that Jackson was "the best father you could ever imagine."
More than 1.5 million fans registered online for tickets to the memorial service. Only 8570 people were chosen at random to receive two tickets each to the memorial.
Paris and her brothers, 12 year old Prince Michael, and seven year old Prince Michael II, joined stars including Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey on stage at the end of the tribute to sing We Are The World.
Jackson’s Coffin Moved To Prevent Fans Breaking Into Crypt
According to the UK newspaper The Mirror, following the memorial Michael Jackson’s coffin was put inside Motown founder Berry Gordy’s tomb at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
It’s believed the tomb was to be a temporary measure until a final burial place was chosen.
Despite the family’s efforts to keep his final resting place a secret, thousands of fans and tourists gathered at the spot, which led to Jackson’s body being moved to the basement of the cemetery’s main building to prevent fans breaking into the crypt.
Jackson's family have yet to confirm where his final resting place will be.
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