Michael Jackson to be buried on birthday

This July 7, 2009 file photo shows the Jackson family motorcade arriving at the Forest Lawn...
This July 7, 2009 file photo shows the Jackson family motorcade arriving at the Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Los Angeles, prior to the memorial service for Michael Jackson. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The King of Pop will be buried on what would have been his 51st birthday, a spokesman for Michael Jackson's family said today.

Jackson will be buried at a private ceremony at Forest Lawn-Glendale on Aug. 29, spokesman Ken Sunshine said in a statement. Guests will be limited to family and close friends, Sunshine said.

"The Jackson family once again wishes to express its gratitude to Michael's fans around the world for their support during these difficult times," the statement said.

Details about the ceremony and the whereabouts of Jackson's body have been tightly guarded. The announcement came a day after the New York Daily News reported comments by Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, that his son would be buried on what would have been his birthday.

Sunshine said Jackson will be buried on the Holly Terrace at the cemetery's Great Mausoleum.

The cemetery's website describes the mausoleum as featuring replicas of works by Michelangelo. It also features a stained glass recreation of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

The cemetery is located in the city of Glendale, which is about 8 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. It is a different location from the Hollywood Hills cemetery where Jackson's family was seen gathering days after his death on June 25.

Forest Lawn spokesman Bill Martin said the cemetery does not comment on private funeral services or on steps that might be taken to handle fans who try to show up for the burial.

"We've handled high-profile services in the past," Martin said. He said the cemetery is on private property, and measures will be taken to discourage "loitering" on the day of Jackson's service.

 

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