Neverland Ruled Out for Jackson Funeral, Public Memorial May Not Happen

Florists replace 1200 white roses on each of two wreaths on the gates to Neverland Ranch as preparations are made for memorial services for singer Michael Jackson on June 30, 2009 near Los Olivos, California. Jackson's body will reportedly be taken to his Neverland Ranch on July 2 for a public viewing on July 3. A private memorial service is scheduled for July 4. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)more pics »Before you drop everything (including a big chunk of cash) and head to Neverland Ranch to grieve the loss of world's awesomest dancer Michael Jackson, it's looking less and less likely the ranch will host anything more than a public outpouring of sadness for the entertainer.

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TMZ and the LA Times both reported Wednesday that the Jackson family won't be burying MJ at his once-majestic personal amusement park.

"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," a family statement reads. "Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."

The Times reports that the legal hoops required to inter Michael at Neverland would put his burial months, not weeks, away.

From the Times:
Jackson’s family wanted him interred at the Santa Barbara County estate, the site of some of the happiest and saddest times in his life, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had agreed to help clear any state bureaucratic hurdles, a source close to the situation told The Times.

But in the end, the source said, county officials could not find a way to quickly circumvent legal restrictions governing burial at a private residence.

"It’s nobody’s fault. Everybody in Santa Barbara feels bad about it,” the source said. Meanwhile, plans are still being made to try and hold some sort of public memorial service for the massively popular entertainer. The L.A. Coliseum and the Staples Center have both been named as possible locations, but no one know who will pay for the massive undertaking and Los Angeles officials are reluctant to take on the costs for traffic control and security. One unofficial MJ memorial is being organized at a ranch near Neverland, and while it isn't endorsed by the family, the organizers have at least had the wherewithal to book a couple of DJs and charge $40 a car.

To make matters worse, it seems like no one knows where Jackson will be buried. With Neverland ruled out, the LA Times reports that one cemetary named by some as a possible location has denied he will be buried there.

From the Times:
Various media reports have indicated that Jackson will be buried at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills and that the pop star's body is already there.

But Nancy Sepulveda, a spokeswoman at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, said Jackson’s body is not there. “We’ve never had him and we’re not going to,” Sepulveda said. “If we were going to, we’d know, right?” Despite the news, fans and reporters have continued to flock to Neverland Ranch to pay their final respects. See pictures from the ranch here.

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