Jacko Finally Laid To Rest
MICHAEL Jackson was finally laid to rest before a select group of family and friends this morning.
The singer's mother, Katherine, was overcome with emotion while his ten-year-old daughter Paris was in tears as the Jackson family arrived at the low-key private burial.
Just 200 mourners, including stars of Hollywood's golden age, bid farewell to the King of Pop at an exclusive cemetery in Los Angeles.
The long-awaited private event — which was due to be held last month — was delayed again because Jackson's family arrived late.
Guests including Liz Taylor, Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker were forced to wait more than an hour and a half in the outdoor seating area in the balmy evening heat.
Jackson's former wife Lisa Marie Presley turned up to pay her respects. As the casket made its way to the front of the congregation, she was said to be visibly distressed.
Speakers at the event — which was closed to public and TV cameras — included civil rights leader the Rev Al Sharpton, while soul singer Gladys Knight sang at the service.
A pair of huge framed portraits of Michael in a casual yellow shirt were placed at the head of the congregation.
The programmes contained pictures of the Thriller singer alongside some of his quotes.
It opened with words taken from Jackson's book Dancing The Dream: "If you enter the world knowing you are loved and leave the world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with."
Mourners were shown arriving at the Forest Lawn cemetery in video footage commissioned by the Jackson family.
The presence of film crews hinted that footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary "This Is It," or perhaps the Jackson brothers' upcoming reality show.
Brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy, each wearing a single white glove, acted as pallbearers.
Children Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, seven, had reportedly placed private notes inside their father's coffin.
One said: "Daddy we love you, we miss you."
They also placed a crown on top of the casket.
The grieving youngsters sat in the front row as the service got under way.
They left in a bus with Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine, who was reportedly so grief-stricken she had to be helped into the vehicle. TheSun