Family & Friends Attend Michael Jackson’s Service At Forest Lawn Memorial Park

 
 
enlarge
  • Joe Jackson departs the Jackson family compound for the memorial service for his son, pop singer Michael Jackson, on July 7, 2009 in Encino, California
  • Eleven Asian elephants walk to the Staples Center, hours before a memorial service for recently deceased singer Michael Jackson is to take place at the same location, during the traditional Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus Animal Walk from the circus train on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
  • Michael Jackson on stage in NYC in 1993
  • Michael Jackson with his kids Prince and Paris in London on October 12, 2005
  • Michael Jackson arrives at the Cannes Film Festival on May 8, 1997
  • Michael Jackson wearing his signature red leather jacket at the opening of the stage musical, ‘Dream Girls,’ Los Angeles in 1983

1/6

  • Getty Images

    Joe Jackson departs the Jackson family compound for the memorial service for his son, pop singer Michael Jackson, on July 7, 2009 in Encino, California

  • Eleven Asian elephants walk to the Staples Center, hours before a memorial service for recently deceased singer Michael Jackson is to take place at the same location, during the traditional Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus Animal Walk from the circus train on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

  • Getty Images

    Michael Jackson on stage in NYC in 1993

  • Getty Images

    Michael Jackson with his kids Prince and Paris in London on October 12, 2005

  • Getty Images

    Michael Jackson arrives at the Cannes Film Festival on May 8, 1997

  • Getty Premium

    Michael Jackson wearing his signature red leather jacket at the opening of the stage musical, ‘Dream Girls,’ Los Angeles in 1983

 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: July 7, 2009 11:48 AM EDT
LAST UPDATED: July 7, 2009 12:00 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

The family and close friends of Michael Jackson attended a service for the late singer at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Tuesday morning, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

California Highway Patrol escorted a motorcade from the home of Michael Jackson’s parents in Encino to the cemetery in the Hollywood Hills for the private service.

The King of Pop’s family and close friends, which reportedly included his parents, Joe and Katherine, brother Randy and sister La Toya gathered around 8 AM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Jackson family was seen entering the 1,200-seat Hall of Liberty auditorium after arriving.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton said Michael Jackson’s casket would be headed to Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for the singer’s public memorial on Tuesday morning, according to the Associated Press.

On Monday afternoon, Forest Lawn entered into a lockdown style mode as barricades were put up at the entrances to the park. Cars attempting to enter the property were turned away, but earlier in the day, fans from around the world visited the facility as they mourned the star.

A public memorial for Michael Jackson is set to kick off at Staples Center at 10 AM.

Almost 20,000 fans were expected to celebrate the singer’s life alongside stars including Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Lionel Richie and Jennifer Hudson.

Michael Jackson died on Thursday June 25 at the age of 50. He was set to begin a string of 50 dates at London’s O2 arena on July 13.

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on and now!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What Do You Think?

How many times will you see ‘New Moon?’

  • Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in ‘New Moon’
     
  • Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart chat during the presentation of their new film ‘The Twighlight Saga: New Moon’ during the HVB youth event at the Olympic Hall on November 14, 2009 in Munich, Germany
     
  • Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson arrive at the afterparty for the premiere ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ at the Hammer Museum on November 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
     
  • Robert Pattinson runs his fingers through his hair as he hits ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ premiere red carpet, LA, Nov. 16, 2009
     
  • Michael Sheen in Summit’s ‘New Moon’
     
  • Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon, and Chaske Spence as werewolves in ‘New Moon’