Michael Jackson Is Finally Laid To Rest

Last Night's Ceremony

About 200 of MICHAEL JACKSON's family and friends gathered at FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL PARK in GLENDALE, CA for a small ceremony to bury THE KING OF POP exactly 10 weeks after he was found dead. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES reports "the service, scheduled for sunset, became a nighttime gathering as guests awaited the late arrival of JACKSON's family. The JACKSON brothers, in black suits and red ties, filed past a portrait of MICHAEL. His children made their way to their seats. A bespectacled PARIS JACKSON, his young daughter, wearing a dark dress and her long hair pulled back in a ponytail, watched soberly."

Along with family, many of JACKSON's friends were among the mourners, including ELIZABETH TAYLOR, MACAULAY CULKIN; lawyer THOMAS A. MESEREAU JR., who successfully defended JACKSON from child molestation charges; and choreographer-director KENNY ORTEGA, who was directing JACKSON's planned LONDON concerts. The REV. JESSE JACKSON, the REV. AL SHARPTON, MARLON BRANDO's son MIKO and comic CHRIS TUCKER were also there.

QUINCY JONES, MOTOWN RECORDS founder BERRY GORDY and veteran music industry executive SUZANNE DE PASSE, who were all profoundly involved in JACKSON's professional development, also attended, as did LISA MARIE PRESLEY, one of JACKSON's former wives.

Jackson's Final Resting Place: Forest Lawn's 'Holly Terrace'

THE TIMES describes The Holly Terrace, the mausoleum where JACKSON was buried, as "one of 11 halls in the Great Mausoleum, FOREST LAWN's vast granite- and marble-filled palazzo that serves as the star-studded resting place of CLARK GABLE, JEAN HARLOW and other screen legends. The Holly Terrace is dominated at one end by an expansive stained-glass window."

Fans who think they can find JACKSON's crypt should rethink that, according to FOREST LAWN officials. "The Great Mausoleum itself is primarily restricted to family members," said FOREST LAWN Communications Dir. WILLIAM MARTIN. "So when you come in, you're asked who you are coming to visit." Also, he added, there are many cameras on the premises.

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