Jackson Public Memorial Plans Under Way

Details Unclear But Family Spokesman Says Memorial Won't Be Held at Late Pop Star's Neverland Ranch

(CBS/AP)  A Jackson family spokesman says a public memorial for Michael Jackson is in the works, but it won't be held at the late pop star's Neverland Ranch.

No further details are provided in the statement issued Wednesday by family spokesman Ken Sunshine.

The public relations firm Sunshine, Sachs & Associates has been retained by the family and says it will announce those plans shortly.

CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes reports that preparations are under way for something - heavy equipment has been arriving at Neverland over the past two days, leading to speculation that the "King of Pop" would have a private memorial service here.

A request has gone all the way to the governor's office to bury Jackson at Neverland, which is private property. That would require a special waiver of California law, reports Hughes.

There is talk about turning Neverland into a tourist attraction like Graceland, which brings in $35 million dollars a year but officials here are worried, reports Hughes.

"This is horse country. This is cattle country," said Barbara Lanz-Mateo, managing editor of the Santa Ynez Valley Journal. "People like their quiet, their solitude."

Adoring fans and dozens of news crews poured into this bucolic town near Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch expecting to witness the finale to the story of the King of Pop - only to learn their hasty trips were unnecessary.

A large crowd of mourners set up camp outside Neverland's gates with lawn chairs and coolers of bottled water, while hotel rooms surrounding Jackson's estate sold out within minutes of the first - and eventually, erroneous - reports Tuesday that the pop icon might be buried there.

Residents of Los Olivos, who were plagued by reporters following Jackson's 2003 arrest on child molestation charges, once more had their lives upended by streams of TV vans and fans eager to mark the passing of a pop culture giant.

Also Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Jackson would likely be buried in Los Angeles, although the family could have a private memorial at Neverland after Jackson is buried. The source, who was not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, told the AP that nothing is planned at least through Friday.

The property is about 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

At once a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses, the estate nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country became the site of a makeshift memorial after his death Thursday.

Earlier Wednesday, Jackson's will was filed in a Los Angeles court. The singer's estate will go to a confidential trust set aside for Jackson's mother, children and assorted charities.

[debinok1]

Well the family spent $25,000 on his casket alone, so his funeral will probably be a big public affair.

[timothyjo]

Please bury him he has looked dead for years ,for god sake he was a good singer but a alcoholic and drug addict as has been reported! he is no role model and should not be made a hero but a 0

[albert571]

I think Neverland should be turned into a prison for sex offenders who are really rich and can afford a pricey atty who can work really good deals with the state.I'm sure Micheal would agree.

[blog_fever2]

The smart thing to do is make Neverland Ranch a tourist attraction just like Graceland... People all over the world would come to that place... the other residents would just have to make due. I would visit if they made it a tourist attraction.

[45ford]

exactly. if there's a will, there's a way. the revenue potential is astronomical which should easily offset the expense of infrastructure improvements to improve public access to Neverland.

i also doubt the spin that MJ isn't being laid to rest at Neverland Ranch. the permits to bury him there may not be in hand at this moment, but they could be in the next few days which could very well be why the announcement for the public memorial service and the private family funeral service has remained open ended. he may be temporarily interred elsewhere, but ultimately i think it's highly probably that his eventual final resting place will be Neverland Ranch. like you said, it's the perfect "Graceland" type atmosphere for years to come.

[u-r-right]

So Neverland is a joint venture between this billionaire and Jackson? Who then gets Jackson's share? It would seem to me they would want to put Jackson on ice until all the permits are in place to bury him at Neverland. Time to bring it back to it's heyday with rides and animals and Michael's furniture and belongings and make it into a museum. That would equal big money for all.