Michael Jackson will Return Michael Jackson’s body will go on display at his beloved Neverland ranch tomorrow (03.07.09). The pop icon - who died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home last week - is expected to make his final journey to his former home in a white horse-drawn carriage. Once there, the body will reportedly be placed in a glass coffin so fans can say their final farewells before Jackson is buried in the grounds of his favourite home on Sunday (05.07.09). Millions of people are
expected to line the streets of Los Angeles to watch the procession - featuring
a 30-car motorcade - make its way to the ranch in Santa Barbara County.
An insider said: “The family want to give him a really special send off. Michael always said Neverland kept him young. It seems fitting. On Sunday there will be a memorial service for his family and close friends to mourn in private. Details for the funeral are still being finalised.” However, the Jackson family’s lawyer Brian Oxman claims they are not even sure whether they will be able to hold memorial services at Neverland. He said: “They want something there, but logistical problems are enormous. It’s very premature to say for sure whether services will actually be held at the ranch. It could be held in Los Angeles.” Michael’s brothers Jackie, Jermaine and Tito were seen visiting Neverland last weekend and since then, delivery trucks have been dropping off piles of boxes every day. A police spokesman has also indicated the family has been in touch to arrange security and crowd control at Neverland. Santa Barbara Sheriff’s department spokesman Butch Arnoldi said: “Our guys are meeting as we speak with the California Highway Patrol to discuss the security issues. Our role will primarily be traffic, but also crowd control. “We will also be making sure there is no trespassing on neighbouring ranches and stuff like that. We would be stationed on the perimeter of the house. The actual roadway will be the responsibility of the highway patrol.” Legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who helped launch Michael’s career, won’t be attending his funeral. He said: “I won’t go to any more funerals as long as I live. I can’t handle it. There will be a lot written about what came next in Michael’s life, but for me all of that is just noise. “I promise you in 50, 75, 100 years, what will be remembered is the music. It’s no accident that almost three decades later, no matter where I go in the world, in every club and karaoke bar, like clockwork, you hear ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Wanna Be Starting Something’, ‘Rock With You’ and ‘Thriller’.” Michael bought Neverland in 1988, and turned the lavish estate into a fairground with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, bumper cars and zoo. He was forced to leave
the property in 2005 after years of decadent living and expensive court
cases left him on the brink of bankruptcy.
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