Singer will join many celebrities at his reported burial site, but cemetery declines to confirm information.By Eric Ditzian
Photo: Michal Czerwonka/Getty Images
Twelve days after his sudden passing at the age of 50, Michael Jackson reportedly will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in a private family ceremony, only hours before thousands will descend on Staples Center for a public memorial, according to multiple unconfirmed online reports, including one from ABC News.
The not-for-profit Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries actually consists of several sites in the Los Angeles area, and it has been reported that Jackson will be buried at the Hollywood Hills location. The burial is expected to take place at 8 a.m. PT, before the 10 a.m. public memorial.
The ABC report cited sources close to the Jackson family as confirming the time and location of the burial. Reached by MTV News, a spokesman for Forest Lawn declined to comment.
According to its Web site, Forest Lawn was built in 1906. Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills is described as containing Colonial American architecture and the world's largest historical mosaic, the Birth of Liberty.
The cemetery is approximately 11 miles away from Staples Center; ABC noted that the private service could delay the start of the public memorial.
While many celebrities are said to be buried at Forest Lawn, the cemetery is, "unrelentingly secretive about who, exactly, is entombed in its parks," but Findagrave.com and Seeing-Stars.com claim that Sammy Davis Jr., Humphrey Bogart and Jean Harlow are among those interred at various Forest Lawn cemeteries.
Many areas of the cemeteries are off-limits to the general public. "We hold the privacy of our client families in very high regard," Bill Martin, spokesman for the Glendale location, told CNN. "There are certain areas and property types that have limited access."
MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.
For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."
Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.
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