L.A. Coliseum being considered for gala Michael Jackson memorial

The L.A. Memorial Coliseum has emerged as a possible site for a planned public memorial for Michael Jackson, city of Los Angeles sources told The Times.

The sources, who spoke on the condition that they not be named, said the plans are still fluid but that the Coliseum is a venue being considered.

Another source told The Times that the Jackson family was no longer considering Neverland Ranch for Michael Jackson's burial. Ken Sunshine, a noted Hollywood publicist, released a statement saying that he's representing the Jackson estate and that no burial would take place at Neverland.

If the public memorial is held at a Los Angeles venue, several questions would need addressing, including how to pay for the event and how police would deal with crowd control.

Various media reports have indicated that Jackson will be buried at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills and that the pop star's body is already there.

But Nancy Sepulveda, a spokeswoman at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, said Jackson’s body is not there. “We’ve never had him and we’re not going to,” Sepulveda said. “If we were going to, we’d know, right?”

A representative of Colony Capital, the private equity firm that owns Neverland, approached Santa Barbara County officials about burying Jackson at the ranch, an attorney for the county confirmed. Officials researched the request and found extensive bureaucratic hurdles on the state and local level for interment on property that isn’t designated a cemetery.

"We have not seen [such a burial] in recent decades,” the county lawyer, Michael Ghizzoni, said. “Based on our contacts with the state, we think it would be a process of months, not weeks.”

-- Phil Willon, Harriet Ryan and Kimi Yoshino

Photo: View of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee/US PRESSWIRE

Comments

[Shanta]

First and foremost my heart goes out to the entire Jackson family, I am very sadened that the media will not let them grieve in private...... Michael Jackson has passed and everyone is worried about the wrong things at this moment! Let that man rest in peace.

[BobC562]

I would be very upset if public funds were paid to cover the cost of the site and police.

[Laker fan]

There had better not be one penny of public funds for this if this goes ahead. No way should the city provide any police or other support unless private donations (or maybe the family) pays for it all.

No one wanted the city to pay for the Lakers so this freak does not deserve it as well. And the Lakers made the city approx $150M in revenue to the city according to the mayor. Jackson no revenue at all...

[Mark A.]

A public memorial is definitely warranted to the millions of fans to pay their final respects and to put closure in this tragedy. However, I do agree that public or city funds should not be used for this. Why can't money be raised privately? Can't celebrities come together and donate?

Hey Beyonce! Jamie Foxx! Oprah! Y'all got some dinero, right? Give it up already and share it with all of Los Angeles and the rest of the world, for chrissakes and let's throw Michael a grand 'ol going away party!

[Bryan]

One leaves the stage quietly.

[Jesse]

The simple solution is charge $50 per ticket and $20 for parking. Any money left over after paying for security and the use of the stadium should go to charity.

[Rachael]

A public memorial is very fitting for Michael Jackson. He changed the culture of the world and had a major impact on several generations. It is ludicrous to say Michael Jackson never generated any money for LA! Are you kidding me? I'm sure it would sell out in hours and attract stars from around the globe. The Jackson have every right to charge due to the cost of the event. I hope they are creative and do something really cool. Simultaneous events through out the world would be great.

[Andre]

MICHAEL did much more than just bringing money into LA ---
HE TOUCHED LIVES of millions inside AND outside of this country. And he's been doing this during FOUR DECADES. It is ok to pay for the memorial. What is really pity is that the family couldn't overcome legal issues to get permission for him to rest at the Neverland.

[Alex]

OMG, not again with all the traffic around USC! I love Michael Jackson but after that Laker Game Parade... I DONT THINK SO!

[Bobby Kennedy]

What are you talking about? How is the media not letting them grieve in private? Did the media force Joe outside to do that sham news conference where he plugged his new record label? Or Janet speaking during the BET awards? Are they being forced to do a public memorial service? How is Michael not resting in peace? Is someone shaking him trying to wake him up? Is his family cosidering the important matters or just his legacy, money, or power? Think before you type...

>First and foremost my heart goes out to the entire Jackson family, I am very sadened that the media will not let them grieve in private...... Michael Jackson has passed and everyone is worried about the wrong things at this moment! Let that man rest in peace.

[Patriot]

Frankly, the family is turning this whole thing into a silly joke. There is not one shred of dignity in any of this. It's a Saturday Night Live skit.

[hottmomma]

Cheers Laker Fan!

[pipkin]

I think he should be buried in a public cemetary near the home of his mother so that his children, family, and loving fans can go to his grave regularly if they desire to place flowers. I hope they don't cremate him.

[jimmy]

This guy is an American icon. Jackson family, please allow the public to view him. He belongs to the people. He will be smiling from above. A motorcade where people line the streets would be another great idea. You should be proud of your family member. Please, share him with us.

[Diane]

Follow up for Andre from Free Legal Advice Forum

In California, local municipalities are given jurisdiction over cemetary matters. Under California law, burials must be in an established cemetary (with an established cemetary meaning 6 or more bodies), but it is left up to local officials to okay any home burials in rural areas.

Some conditions, if they are amenable to the suggestion of a home burial, may be that the body is buried at least 150' from any water supply and at least 25' from any powerline or neighbor's boundary. Also, there would be restrictions placed on burial by the health department if the person to be buried suffered from any communicable disease.

You can be cremated in California and the ashes can be distributed, but there are limits as to where ashes can be scattered. Again, you would need to check with your local municipality to see if either the scattering of ashes or the burial of a body would be allowed on your property. (You may need to wait until you have a group of 5 to bury with you )

You can check out Chapter 3, section 7100-1003 of the California statutes for additional information, or check with your local government offices.

[olga]

MR. MICHAEL JACKSON IS SOMEONE WHO HAS MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF FANS AND PEOPLE WHOSE ICON IS HIM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
PLEOPLE NEEDS TO SEE HIM, THE WHOLE WORLD IS AWAITING TO GIVE HIM BACK SOME OF THE SO MUCH HAPPINESS HE MADE PEOPLE FEEL. THE ENOURMOUS SENSIBILITY HE HAD WITH SUFFERING PEOPLE, YOU CANT TAKE AWAY THE ONLY THING IS GONNA CALM DOWN PEOPLES SADNESS ..I`TS NOW OR NEVER..
OLGA

[MRS ANGELA LEGRAND]

I WAS VERY SAD TO HERE OF ( M.J ) PASSING . MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS KIDS AND CAN EVERYBODY REMBER . THAT HIS CHIRLDERN CAN READ AND HERE . WHAT IS BEING SAID, CAN WE PLEASE TREAT THIS FAMILY WITH THE SAME REPECT YOU , WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO TREAT YOUR FAMILY WITH IN THIS TIME OF MOURNING.

[T.J.]

Public or city funds should not be used to pay for MJ's memorial. I mean the city don't have the funds to pay the city worker's, but yet they want to used public and city funds to pay for this memorial? I mean MJ is not all that, in my opinion he is just a person like everyone else..

[Mabs Peña]

My unborn children will someday hear 'michael Jackson'... if that's not leaving a legacy i dont know what is. You guys don't appreciate the fact that you are in a state in which there is an easy access to all information real time.. I am sacrificing timezones here as i am from Manila, Philippines. Did i ever complain? You guys think too much about traffic and all but hey it's just for a day!! Will it hurt? Michael is a very big part of my childhood and will forever remain in my heart. Let us all see past judgements and try to leave our comforts zones for the only KING OF POP make MJ truly rest in peace.. MOONWALK YOUR WAY UP TO HEAVEN MICHAEL!! Apologies for our shortcomings... Manila Loves you, The whole world loves you...

[Kiara]

I Think The Tabloids and EVERYBODY is Acting Fake. Before His death NOBODY Liked Him (but i did) And Now People Are Soo Upset and Just soo sad Because of his death . IF U DIDNT LIKE HIM THEN Y START NOW? All i have to say is LET HIM REST IN PEACE PEOPLE JEEZE. LEAVE HIM ALONE... Yes He Will be Missed.. And NEVER Forgotten. But Please Just Stop Invading His Personal Life. Thats For To No And For The Tabloids To NEVER Find Out. (You Guys are just soo nosy)

[Velma Wilcher]

I loved Michael Jackson at age 13 in 1969 and I am more in love with him now at age 53 in 2009. He has brought music of love, hope, and charity to all races on this planet. Michael believed in his music with dedication and love for all in what he did best – speak to us through his music and dancing joy in our hearts. There are not any words on earth, that can or will describe Michael Jackson’s uniqueness as a human being only the spirit of God, almighty, can reveal that to you.
Michael, you will be missed for your faithful fight for change and remembered for your unconditional love for the people of the world to the end of time. You have battled your mission with a good fight as a soldier with class, style, and love. I will never forget you here on earth, but I will see you in heaven someday. Rest and sleep now in peace. The battle here on earth is not yours anymore. God needs you in heaven with him now.

[Neil]

Michael Jackson does deserve a public farewell, the fans deserve to say good-bye, the family should allow the body to be on display....I also agree that a memorial for Michael Jackson will not be a minor event, and will need help from the city and the family...The public should not cover this cost. When a person dies , the family is required to pay for the funeral expenses, so as much as i am an MJ fan, the family or estate in this case should be on the hook for any costs for this funeralmemorial...RIP MICHAEL JACKSON