Funeral fit for the King

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Getty Images
Getty Images
As the world said goodbye to the King of Pop in a very public way, his family organised a private funeral held on September 3, 2009, costing the estate almost US$1 million, court documents revealed.

In pictures: Michael Jackson's memorial service

After Michael Jackson's death in June, the family and AEG entertainment group organised a public memorial held at the Staples Center in July but waited until September to have his family funeral.

During this time the family was charged US$5000 ($5375) per month to hold Michael's remains in a temporary vault, the Associated Press reported.

Jackson's mother, Katherine had her attorneys file payment requests with estate administrators only three days before the funeral was planned to be held. Court documents showed that if payment was not received by the funeral home and the Glendale Police Department by September 1 "the funeral will not proceed".

However, the administrators showed no opposition to the request, allowing the family $1 million for funeral expenses.

The final costs included US$855,730 ($919,120) to Forest Lawn-Glendale for cemetery and funeral charges, US$35,000 ($37,620) for Jackson's lavish burial garments, US$15,000 ($16,120) for a funeral designer, US$30,000 ($32,235) for cars and security, US$16,000 ($17,190) for flowers, US$1975 ($2120) for wardrobe for the Jackson family, US$3682 ($3955) for the framing of a photo placed next to the casket, US$2000 ($2150) for ushers costumes, US$11,716 ($12,590) for invitations and programs. The family were also allowed to charge US$21,455 ($23,055) for the "funeral repast" at a restaurant after the ceremony, the Associated Press reported.

One of the Jackson estate's lawyers, Howard Weitzman, said the funeral could have been done for less money but "it was Michael Jackson, who was larger than life. There's no reason he should not have a funeral that's larger than life".

Your say: Do you think the Jackson family spent too much money on the funeral? Do you think the funeral was fitting for the King of Pop? What will you miss most about Michael Jackson? Tell us below.

User comments
Has anyone asked jordy chandler how he feels about his "friend" dying...??
Yes he was a world wide household name, and one of the most popular performers of all time, but really... US$16,000 for flowers alone that will not even be noticed by most and thrown out after an hour or two? If the family wanted to do something really lovely to honor his memory why not donate all that wasted money and the millions that have been earned since his death to worthwhile charities, medical research, and organizations, in his name? Instead of getting filthy rich of his death and making stupid reality T.V. shows.
Michael Jackson was a phenomenal entertainer and a precious human being, but really.....Can anyone truly disagree with the concept that he was one very messed up person ? People who raised serious allegations against him got payed off, refusing to pursue a legal case - was this because they were intimidated by the Jackson lawyers and the money that they had access too ? and were they intimidated by the concept of being the ones that sent "the king of pop" to prison and thus offend the MJ worshippers ? Maybe we will never know, but he showed some strange traits.
I don't think it's anyones business on how much was paid for Michael's funeral. Whether it was his money or his family's, it's their business. As for Wolfnail's comment 'allegations surrounding Michael Jackson and his known behaviour with children have been forgotten about by so many,when such a creepy lifestyle has ruined the careers and lives of others. If your local headmaster had a constant desire to sleep with your children in their bed and dress up like a fantasy character in a theme park designed to attract children where they were free to *** and watch porn etc. , then would you not mind ? ' Michael was deemed innocent on these charges. Regardless of what people think, this is Michael's funeral and Michael's family. If I had $1 million dollars to bury a member of my family, I too would pay for it.
Yes, $1million dollars is too much for this deeply dysfunctional weirdo's funeral ! The whole thing was a very fitting circus for him. It amazes me how the allegations surrounding Michael Jackson and his known behaviour with children have been forgotten about by so many,when such a creepy lifestyle has ruined the careers and lives of others. If your local headmaster had a constant desire to sleep with your children in their bed and dress up like a fantasy character in a theme park designed to attract children where they were free to *** and watch porn etc. , then would you not mind ?
MJ has earnt over $101 million since he passed away...and you think a Million is too much for his funeral??? OMG
It was a beautiful funeral and he deserved every cent spent. I think the State should have paid for it! people made a hell of a lot of money from Micheal, they used him up until the end and they should show their gratitude by paying for his funeral. R.I.P Micheal forever you shall be remembered in present and in future always. Love to your kids who adored you XXXXX
I think its a very sad time for michael mother , and if anyone thinks its too much to pay for a son she loved more then life, said i think it was wonderful and dont forget his children, i have followed michael since he started singing and dancing i do hope his kids follow in his footsteps he will be proud MISS YOU MICHAEL
I don't think the amount of money the Jackson family spent on the funeral was too much. I mean most people don't have that kind of money obviously but if you do why wouldn't you want to spend that much on farewelling someone you love? I think that both memorials for Michael were a good idea. Both the public and the private one. It was good for Michael's fans to express how they feel about him at the public memorial at the Staples Center and it's also important for his family to have a time to grieve away from the public. I'm not a die hard Michael fan but I do think that the world will have a little less love in the world now that he's gone. People took advantage of him unfortunately. Hopefully now people aka the media will leave him to rest in peace now.

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