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Michael Jackson's coffin of gold
By Georgina Littlejohn, London Lite Last updated at 13:28pm on 03.07.09Michael Jackson is to be buried in a gold coffin.
The King of Pop's funeral will feature a circus-style public memorial service led by elephants.
His coffin, a rare £15,000 design called the Promethean, is made of solid bronze but is 14-carat gold-plated with a hand-polished mirror finish and lined with velvet. It was ordered last night from America's Batesville Casket Company and is identical to the coffin used to bury James Brown in 2006 — which may have inspired Jackson after he saw it when Brown lay in state.
Resting place: Jackson's 14-carat gold-plated send-off
Jackson's send-off on Tuesday afternoon will begin at the LA Lakers basketball team's home court, the Staples Centre. He rehearsed there for his planned comeback concerts at The O2 just two days before his death, and 11,000 tickets will be distributed free to the general public. Jackson died from a suspected heart attack last Thursday, aged 50.
Up to a million people are expected to gather at the venue which will erect giant screens outside for those who cannot get in.
Inspired: Jackson at James Brown's funeral in 2006, where he saw the gold casket
The memorial will feature performances and tributes from a host of music and acting legends and will open with a parade of circus animals, including tigers and elephants — part of LA's annual Parade Of The Elephants.
The parade, devised by The Ringling Bros Barnum And Bailey Circus, in which the animals walk through the streets trunk to tail, was already scheduled for Tuesday morning.
When asked in 2002 what he thought his funeral would be like, Jackson said: “It's going to be the greatest show on Earth. That's what I want. Fireworks and everything.”
Among the guests expected to attend are Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor and Sir Paul McCartney.
President Barack Obama has also reportedly been invited and last night he spoke for the first time about the singer's death. He said: “I still have all his stuff on my iPod. I grew up on his music.”
He added that he thought Jackson had experienced “a tragic and in many ways sad personal life”.
After the memorial, there will be a private ceremony at Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood which will be attended by family and close friends only.
But Jackson's long-term friend and producer Quincy Jones said that he will not be going. He said: “No. I'm not going to the funeral. I don't wanna go to no funeral. It's not what I want to see.”
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Reader views (25)
i don't know everythin bout michael jackson,i just heard and saw him once on tv-the time his history tour manila and that time i was in highschool.and now im married,i just got interested to veiw the latest news about him since it appeared on yahoo page,the news about his coming london concert.so,i download his musics from kugou ,i was amazed for it ,especially the nice contents of some songs i mean the lyrics.from then on i kept on playing it every mornin at my computer and i love to sing with it.the next two weeks i was just shock and don't wana belive it that the artist of such musics that i newly love to hear and sing already passed away.the next day, i started searching about the whole thing about him,his life,carreer,marriage and esp.watched his concert videos.i do agree that michael is the best entertainer in the whole world had ever lived.i just doubted his sexuallity due to seemingly true rumors,moreover,the big changes in his appearance.But he got the point,we must look everyone as a person and not as personality.i do believe he has a kindheart and true love for the less fortunate children of all nationality.its not bad to have an expensive casket coz i understand that the family just want to show their love as what what michael did,giving a lot of money to charities of his love and indulgencies to his children to make them happy.u've done nice things to the world and bring joys w/ ur songs.i love you Michael RIP.God bless your children,good wishes to ur family.
- Grace Alicalas Zhuang, quanzhou,China
hope u a,good luck on your journy now,,and thank u for the joy u bring me,...and im going to pray for u everyday,befor and after i sleep.......love u very very much....
- Venus, phillipines
Michael was the greatest performer of all times. We all loved him and will miss him. In spite of all the negativities that surroundeed his life. I don't believe any of it was true. My overall opinion of him, is that I believe he was just simply misunderstood, totally. My prayer is that he found rest with the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ,
R.I.P. King of Pop!!!!
- Bettyy Bodie, Nassau, Bahamas
explain to me the need for a gold coffin, ashes to ashes ,dust to dust .what difference will it make 100 years from now
- Pat Sheppard, joliet il,usa
I never really paid any attention to Michael Jackson. I was not one of his fans or even someone who bought his music. To me he was a name in the music industry that kept creeping into the media every so often, with either strange stories of oxygen tents or child abuse claims. I learnt about his death from my husband and although I feel it is sad for anyone to die so young, again it did not affect me. For days news reports would comment on his funeral and memorial service, I had no intention of watching either. Then the day dawned and I found myself flicking through the channels on the TV and came across his funeral. I decided to watch. I am so glad that I did. I never knew he did so much for charities, or all the hard work he did to bring people together. I was amazed that in today's media and celebrities private lives being flounted, I had never learnt of his incredible love, support and generosity. Has it changed my opinion of him. Yes it has and although I won't rush out and buy his music I will thank Michael for all that he has done and no doubt will continue to do. My love and blessings go to his family and children. May you find peace of heart in the future and fond painless memories forever
- Amanda Williams, Portsmouth
jesus ask the reglious people, who can cast the first stone, they all left and stop acussing the woman, we are have sin in our lives, no sin is greater than the other, is still sin, its sin to judge people also, when you judge other people, the lord is not pleased, we all need a savior, jesus christ, he died for the wolds sins, if he then died for the worlds sins, that mean every breathing person sins, so who can judge another, look at our own sins and the erors of our own ways.
i belive micheal is in jesus arms sleeping, and enjoying heaven.
he's in a world where there is nothing but pure love all the time, we dont know what was really in micheal heart,but the lord knows all hearts, and he created him, and then took him, his time was up for the plan God had for him, we are wil experience this one day, what will people say about us.
i love you micheal and i prayed for you.
and your family, death brings people closer and together. they realize that the lord is real. its time to love one another and help one another, stop the hate, we all need help from the kord. God bless
- Stacy, washingdc
Please leave this man alone. He was sent off in the manner- perhaps he/his family decided. It would not have made a difference if the casket was Platinum. Everyone know that funeral rituals are for those left behind and not the deceased. It's all a part of the closure thing. I just don't get what is up with Quincey- he does not seem to be very supportive. All his comments remind me of an OLD CANTANKEROUS FART. grumble grumble grumble.
- Cathy, Hemstead ny USA
Michael where you are going, Tom Meseraux will not be able to represent you on Judgement day. As the song goes "You are not alone"
You will be on Judgement Day,
- Cy, london
it is disgusting the way these so called celebritys use this event to advertise themselves, and then call themselves friends.
- Brian Twomey, surrey england
micael jackson was the best preformer ever the real king of pop my heart and all my love go out to his family the best king as gone forever all his pain is over now will be missed badly by everyone who loved him rest in peace michael you are safe in the arms of god bless you michael never forgotten xx
- Susan Phillpot, sunderland tyne and wear england
Nothing tacky, then
- Mdj E10, london uk
Using expensive materials to bury Michael does not show wealth they must be simple, and donate that money to the needy life human beings. I know we love him so much but showing respect by using a lot of money is not good.
- Tumelo Ramorwa, Gaborone, Botswana
may he rest in peace.He,ll live in our hearts forever
I miss u a lot
I love u Michael
- Sofiya Abdul Azeez, Rep.of Maldives
Long Live the King!!!...Your the best...
- Leo Paulo N. Santos, Metro Manila, Philippines
The 80’s were my era; Michael Jackson was a big part of adolescent. I always believed in his innocence. He has a rough childhood, with a tyrant father. He did not want any kid to suffer they way he suffered. He helped a lot kids, and he was a kind hearted human being. The medial massacre him with accusations and tabloids that were not true. He got so disappointed of life and he saw relief with narcotics and sleep aid. God bless you Michael, now you are dancing and singing with the angels.
RIP
- Lisa, usa
Alot of people humiliated him, belittled him, insulted him, called him names, etc...however he was a gift to us from GOD. He is a legend. He is in a much better place NOW than when he was alive. He is experiencing the peace NOW that he always deserved. He is resting in peace. Your music and videos is 4ever alive Michael Jackson!!
- Magaly, el paso texas usa
I'm a big of MJ, and i wish people will leave them out , cause no one is perfect we all make mistakes, Michael you really rocked our world. RIP, We'll always remember you.
- Larsherne, Tsitsikamma Eastern Cape- South Africa
MICHEAL JACKSON was the greatest entertainer in the world, everyone knows it, wheather you want to admit it or not. We will always love you MICHAEL, AN YOU WILL SURELY LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. Rest in peace Angel.
- Patricia Walker, Texas USA
Only 14 carat? He should have the 24 carat version. They do look very comfy, I might get one instead of a new bed and if I peg out then money and time saved. Good idea!
- Patrick, London
With a gold-plated coffin, it seems as though he's going to be worth more dead, than he was alive! At least until all the post-demise royalties start to kick in and then.........watch out!!
- Keith Sanford, Edgware
Of course, Jackson was a great and legendary performer---although obviously an intensely troubled soul. But what a fiiasco of over-coverage by the media! I hope our British friends have experienced a bit less media blitz than we have in the USA. Enough already! I think of the vast amounts of money spent on a circus funeral (both literally and figuratively) and a 15 thousand pound coffin. Whether one has the gold-plated, velvet-lined, ultra-deluxe model or a quick cremation (my preference for my own demise) doesn't really matter for time and eternity, does it? One could feed quite a few hungry children with those elaborate funeral funds.
- Stephen, Kansas, USA
MJ will always be the greatest entertainer that ever lived to me...he deserves his send off ... fireworks & everything...
- Jo Charlemagne, Castries, St. Lucia
Jarvis Cocker was right. This guy really thinks he id Jesus Christ
- Keith Price, Luton, England
...still hard to believe hes gone.
..He should be wrapped up like a muumy on a gold casing and hidden in a pyramid - hes the greatest performer of pop music of our times - failing that, his body should be given to medicine.
- Randy, London, England
micheal will be greatly miss in my prayers and heart mylove gos out to im and family. but a geat one has gone but his sprit will live and be will all. '' micheal your pain and suffering is over; god has taken his child home to rest. you will be missed. love tears
- Shannon Lee, jacksonville florida duval
