Michael Jackson's Kids Say Final Farewell at Funeral
The children of Michael Jackson attending the burial ceremony for their father on September 3, 2009 at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Credit: AFP/Getty Images
More than two months after his death on June 25, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest Thursday evening in L.A.
More than an hour after the funeral was scheduled to begin, the Jackson family arrived at the burial site just after dark in a row of black Rolls Royce Phantoms and made their way up to the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif.
See Michael Jackson's most unforgettable moments
His three children -- Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7 -- were in attendance along with sisters Janet and La Toya and his five brothers, who served as pallbearers. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy Jackson all wore suits with the late singer's signature black armband and sequined glove.
The service was attended by 200 family and close friends including Macaulay Culkin and girlfriend Mila Kunis, 77-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, baseball star Barry Bonds, Chris Tucker, Al Sharpton, Kenny Ortega and Corey Feldman.
See photos of Michael Jackson and his kids over the years
At the beginning of the ceremony, which was held outdoors, his kids placed a crown on their father's coffin to signify the final resting place of the King of Pop, the family's rep tells Usmagazine.com in a statement.
Knight sang the gospel hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow, and songwriter Clifton Davis sang the Jackson Five song "Never Can Say Goodbye."
Speakers, including Jackson's father Joe and Sharpton, addressed the crowd from the stage, which was adorned with six large bouquets of white lilies and white roses.
Following the ceremony, the Jackson brothers carried his casket into the mausoleum shortly before 10 p.m. EST.
See how Michael Jackson's face has changed
"The Jackson Family wishes to once again thank all of Michael’s fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time," their rep tells Us. "Their expressions of love for Michael and his music have sustained the Jackson Family."
Jackson died at the age of 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Tell Us What You Think
46What it's a shame of those kids are not MJ's? MJ raised them and be around them since they were born. Don't you feel they are powerfully bonded? If you think that way, worry about yourself and look at yourself. I bet you do not understand what is the big fundamental of the powerful bonding between a father and his children. Also, it is so obvious that MJ, as a single dad did a tremendous great job in raising these three children. I am proud of MJ and these three children as a mom of two children. They are MJ's children. R.I.P, Michale, my children and I love you and admire you!!!
Whoa!! Paris does look like Debbie Rowe in this pic..
Biological or not they are his kids. And if iit so concerns u Ananymous, Blanket is definitely his biological kid. We live in a world where its more important to fous on the unimportant rather than focus on bettering our own lives. RIP M.J. Those who loved u will ensure that YOUR kids are protected :-)
I look forward to seeing Paris one day...she looks like a really smart little girl. Despite how people feel about MJ...he quite obviously did a great job raising intelligent, well behaved kids and by the way...I think his kids look a lot like him.
To the dumbass that said those aren't his kids, they are. They look just like them. and if they weren't, it's none of your damn business anyway, he raised those kids and did a great job, they're his, period.
and if they weren't, it's none of your damn business anyway, he raised those kids and did a great job, they're his, period.
I love Micheal Jackson so much.i wish to pay tribute to his kids.I love you Prince,paris and Blanket.I love you all
I love Micheal Jackson so much.i wish to pay tribute to his kids.I love you Prince,paris and Blanket.I love you all
I love Micheal Jackson so much.i wish to pay tribute to his kids.I love you Prince,paris and Blanket.I love you all
HIS POOR KIDS...ITZ SAD DATHEY LOST THEIR FATHER, HE WAS THEIR MOTHER & FATHER...THEY LOVED HIM SOOO MUCH & HE LOVED DEM SOOO MUCH!!! "MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON: 1959-2008"...REST N HEAVENLY PEACE!!!!
Wow...im still so sad about this. MJ is dead and like this? Dying like this wasnt worthy of the mans talent. But, he was i'll for many years now. Last time I saw MJ look like MJ was maybe 95'. He's looked high as a kite and out of it for years now. His poor mom and kids. I dont care what you thought of the man its tragic. Music is officially dead.
It is beginning to sink in now that MJ is really gone.I hope now that he is gone the media will focus on the positive things in his life and stop thrashhing his name. After hearing that Lisa marie was there i knew that their relationship was real and they truely loved each other.To everyone who continues to talk about whether he is the real father or not please stop. If he isnt who cares. He has been their dad since they were born and has been around for the important things in their life. So to them he is their father no matter what.
I feel so sorry for all 3 kids. Because of MJ's selfishness and weird approach to everything, they don't know exactly who their bio father/mothers are. This is so unfair to them. Also, why are they always wearing darker and darker foundation, so people will be convinced that MJ fathered them? That's just sick.
This is oh so sad. Micheal has died. Although we all understand that its apart of life, I sometimes wish it wasnt so.I hate how he died and feel that his life was cheated and shorten. It makes me angry to even think about it. I also feel sorry for his family because they knew him most in addition to his children regardless of their bloodline, they were his. I believe that this loss has left so many millions of people empty who are fans therefore I couldnt even imagine how the family must be feeling. I always thought " when Micheal Jackson dies, it will turn into a national holiday". Im sad to say, he's gone... and really dont want to admit it...
I hear that Randy and the Jackson Family are extremely upset with the media for filming footage of the funeral and airing it on T.V. The person that the Jackson family should be upset with is their friend, and family spokesperson, Reverend Al Sharpton! I was in disbelief while watching the entire footage on CNN, when the reporter standing outside the cemetary started reading her blackberry and stated that it was RevShark updating her again. As a matter of fact, one of his text messages was "It's surreal, pinch me." He was also updating the funeral on Twitter. He knew that this was a private event. How would Katherine Jackson have felt knowing that he was doing this while sitting behind her while she, her children, and Michael's children said their last goodbyes to Michael? What a jerk RevShark is! Not to mention, shouldn't RevShark know that it is just plain disrespectful to even use a text device at a funeral. Real classy RevShark! What would the Jackson family say if they were aware of this? They can't blame the media when one of their own sources was part of the cause.
Those poor kids :( I pray for them and all other kids in those tough situations every day.
Michael you were an angel,, We'll miss you forever.. You'll be always in our hearts, because you are the king of our hearts !!!! Long life the king!! We love you so much!!!!
to Everyone, I feel sorry for the family and the children too. It's a shame those kids are not MJ's
I am so happuy that the love of Michael Jackson's life, his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, was there. It spoke volumes about the true loving relationship that they shared. Nothing made me smile, in a good long time, like that news. Elvis's beautiful daughter loved MJ, awww, and his mom. So touching that she tearfully tried to comfort MJ's mom Katherine. They were close. Two beautiful families, so different, bound by LOVE. So sweet somehow, Elvis would be proud. MJ rest in peace, sweet brother!
reading this make me feel i miss MJ much I love you Michael you live forever