Will Michael Jackson's final tour start at Neverland Ranch?
Michael Jackson is going on his final tour.
But the opening venue is still uncertain.
CNN had reported that Michael's body would return to Neverland Ranch on Thursday, leaving Los Angeles with a 30-car motorcade at 10 a.m., headed for his former ranch, about 1 1/2 hours north of Santa Barbara. Their report included information on a mass public viewing to be held at Neverland on Friday and a private memorial service Sunday.
But according to L.A. Now, these weekend celebratory memorials may not take place. Law enforcement officials had expressed concerns about traffic on the narrow mountain road to Neverland. Santa Barbara County sheriff's Lt. Butch Arnold told The Times that his department was discussing how to make the route to Neverland safe. Santa Barbara County spokesman William Boyer said Wednesday that despite meetings to prepare for the possibility of a memorial service, county officials had not heard from the Jackson family.
Latest word is that Jackson will not be buried at Neverland, though the funeral itself is still in flux. County officials couldn't quickly get around legal restrictions against burial at a private residence.
Sounds like Michael's funeral will be as confusing as his life was.
Where should Michael be buried? Should Neverland be turned into Graceland?
How about his birthplace, Gary, Indiana? It's a possibility. Read on.
The singer's hometown of Gary, Indiana, has already asked the family to send Michael's body there, according to the mayor's spokeswoman, who spoke to CNN Tuesday.
The mayor told a Chicago radio station he expects Jackson's body will be taken to Gary for a memorial service at the US Steel Worlds ballpark next week.
It would be "a memorial that's fit for the prince of peace and a memorial that's fit for Gary, Indiana's favorite son, the greatest entertainer that ever lived," Clay said.
A burial site for the singer could be located near a proposed Jackson family museum and a performing arts center.
Jackson's father, Joe, visited the city last year and talked with Clay about a Jackson museum.
Where do you think Michael's memorial should be? Neverland or Gary, Indiana?
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Photo: Michael Jackson in final rehearsals for his planned tour, shortly before his death. Credit: WireImage
HE WAS THE BEST EVER
Well i think that even though Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana he lived most of his life here in Los Angeles, California...This was his home for years and think that the memorial should be held here in California
I think Michael Jackson's body should be buried at his original home in Gary Indiana. It will give him peace away from the circus at Neverland Ranch. That is my opinion.
I think he should be placed wherever the family have their plots already set. This way again they will be the Jackson 5. As for Joe Jackson who cares.
Why would anyone want Michael buried in Gary, IN? It's a craphole slum high crime smelly stinkhole of a place. NOBODY could visit his burial place without getting robbed or killed.
I think he should be buried at Neverland since that was his version of paradise and sanctuary for many years...Had he not faced the humiliation of the public eye and bogus accusations, he would have still resided at Neverland to this day...And the mayor of Gary Indiana seems focused on making his otherwise unknown town a tourist attraction to bring revenue...Michael may have been born there, but hadnt lived there since he was a child. I believe Neverland would be his chosen place...
i think he should be buried at neverland.
i remember hearing an interview with him when he was in his twenty's and the interviewer asked "who's your best friends michael" he paused as if he didn't know what to say then replied "my fans" clearly it was his fans that got him through all his ups and downs through life and stuck by him so personally i think he would have wanted neverland as his resting place so his fans could visit and show there love and respect to the greatest musician, dancer and entertainer that has ever lived.
I think Neverland would be the best representation for waht he stood for and what he believed in to become a place of memorial, possibly even burrial. it would be great if they could continue the efforts there as well that he had given to the children there and to continue having small parties for the terminally ill as he did when he was alive. There is so much that could be done on 3000 acre to produce the funding for such an operation that would continue in his honor just as if he was still alive. Afterall, it's all for a good cause, and really us, as humans need to change to make the world a better place. Neverland would be such a great opportunity to start with and to show that we as humans CAN come together and do it right for a change!
I think he should be buried at his ranch neverland give him what he would want a resting place fit for a king cause he will always be da king.rip micheal we love u
If Katherine Jackson could buy "Neverland" from Colony Capital, then perhaps Michael could be buried at "Neverland" in the future. What's wrong with Forest Lawn? Lots of celeb's are buried there.