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Jackson coffin to go to memorial Jackson's family at funeral home
(10 minutes later)
Michael Jackson's body will be brought to his memorial service in Los Angeles, where fans are gathering to say goodbye to the star, LA police have confirmed. Michael Jackson's family have arrived at a funeral home for a private ceremony ahead of his memorial service in Los Angeles.
The pop star's coffin will travel to the Staples Center after a private ceremony for his family in the nearby Forest Lawn cemetery. They will attend a short religious ceremony in accordance with their Jehovah's Witness beliefs, the Rev Jesse Jackson told the BBC.
Millions of people are expected to watch the memorial, which is being beamed around the world free of charge. Later, the singer's coffin will travel to the Staples Center, where thousands of fans have gathered to say goodbye.
Artists including Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey will play at the event.Artists including Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey will play at the event.
Roads have been closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Centre, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.Roads have been closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Centre, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.
Other people due to take part in the memorial include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.Other people due to take part in the memorial include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.
HOW TO WATCH IN THE UK BBC TWOBBC News ChannelBBC HDSky NewsSky Arts 1FiveNTV The service will also be streamed live on the BBC News websiteHOW TO WATCH IN THE UK BBC TWOBBC News ChannelBBC HDSky NewsSky Arts 1FiveNTV The service will also be streamed live on the BBC News website
At 0815 LA Time (1615 BST), the Jackson family arrived at the Forest Lawn cemetery.
A freeway was shut down amid the morning rush hour, as they travelled to the funeral from their compound in Encino, Los Angeles, in a convoy of more than 18 cars.
The Rev Jesse Jackson told the BBC the family had arranged a small religious ceremony for the star, in accordance with their Jehovah's Witness beliefs.
After the "private function", they will join the crowds at the Staples Center to say their last goodbyes.
'Right reasons''Right reasons'
More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.
Those with the coveted golden wristbands started queuing overnight - and became the centre of attention for fans who were unsuccessful in the ballot.Those with the coveted golden wristbands started queuing overnight - and became the centre of attention for fans who were unsuccessful in the ballot.
"They're touching us and saying, 'Can you bring the love in for us?'" said Mishelle Van, 37, who drove from the Californian city of Hesperia for the memorial."They're touching us and saying, 'Can you bring the love in for us?'" said Mishelle Van, 37, who drove from the Californian city of Hesperia for the memorial.
Other, ticketless fans arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the memorial, including Briton Vikkie Spencer.Other, ticketless fans arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the memorial, including Briton Vikkie Spencer.
Jackson fans head to LA Jackson died on 25 June, just weeks before a series of comeback shows
"We just wanted to come and there's going to be loads of people around anyway and we're just going to be part of it," she said."We just wanted to come and there's going to be loads of people around anyway and we're just going to be part of it," she said.
"We're just going to go and wait outside and hope to buy some [tickets]"."We're just going to go and wait outside and hope to buy some [tickets]".
The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, had warned those without tickets they would not be able to get close to the venue.The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, had warned those without tickets they would not be able to get close to the venue.
Assistant police chief for Los Angeles, Jim McDonnell, told CNN he did not anticipate any trouble.Assistant police chief for Los Angeles, Jim McDonnell, told CNN he did not anticipate any trouble.
"It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind," he said."It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind," he said.
One person who will not be attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.One person who will not be attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.
MEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured)Mariah CareyUsherLionel RichieKobe BryantJennifer HudsonJohn MayerMartin Luther King IIIRev Al SharptonSmokey RobinsonBrooke ShieldsShaheen JafargholiBerry Gordy Crackdown on ticket resalesMEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured)Mariah CareyUsherLionel RichieKobe BryantJennifer HudsonJohn MayerMartin Luther King IIIRev Al SharptonSmokey RobinsonBrooke ShieldsShaheen JafargholiBerry Gordy Crackdown on ticket resales
"The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement."The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement.
"Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately.""Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately."
Jackson's long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor has also declined the opportunity to speak at the memorial.Jackson's long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor has also declined the opportunity to speak at the memorial.
"I cannot be part of the public whoopla [sic]," she wrote on Twitter."I cannot be part of the public whoopla [sic]," she wrote on Twitter.
"And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.""And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word."
"I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event.""I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event."
Millions of people are expected to watch the memorial, which is being beamed around the world free of charge.
About 50 cinemas across the US are planning to show the memorial live.About 50 cinemas across the US are planning to show the memorial live.
It will also be relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.It will also be relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.
Are you a Michael Jackson fan? How good are you at doing some of his moves?Are you a Michael Jackson fan? How good are you at doing some of his moves?
Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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