Word: jacksonism
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...service proved a fitting setting for such star-studded grief. A "Thriller"-esque moon tinted orange by smoke from the nearby forest fires added to the dramatic backdrop. The specially built stage was adorned with six large bouquets of white lilies, white roses and green topiaries. Portraits of Jackson served as bookends for his casket...
...Jackson's family was not upstaged by the evening's more famous mourners, dominating the affair that began with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy serving as pallbearers. Randy then escorted Jackson's three children, Prince Michael, Paris Katherine and Prince Michael II, to the coffin, where the children laid a crown at its head as a tribute to the King of Pop. They then returned to their front-row seats, near their grandparents. There was no repeat of Paris's touching moment at the memorial when she tearfully addressed the crowd, calling Jackson "the best father...
...Family patriarch Joe Jackson was also front and center. He was one of the first family members to arrive at the event, exiting one of their five rented Phantom Rolls Royces with his grandchildren in tow. A controversial figure, Joe spoke at the funeral in defense of his son. "He felt people had been trying to cheat Michael," says the guest. "He said that they will find out what led to Michael's death. And said they will not rest until they found...
...Jackson's lesser-known friends were also given a moment to share their memories of the fallen star. The spontaneous speeches were some of the most poignant. One in particular was delivered by David Rothenberg, a burn victim whom Jackson took care of for years after 90% of his body was scorched in a childhood fire. "He was very scarred over all of his body," says a guest. "He spoke about Michael and how he cared for [Rothenberg] for so long without asking for anything in return. It was very moving." (See the top 10 Michael Jackson moments...
...ceremony, Jackson's brothers led a procession of guests as they carried his casket into the Holly Terrace of the Great Mausoleum. Each person was allowed one final, personal farewell before walking away. One guest pointed to longtime Jackson family friend Clifton Davis' rendition of "Never Can Say Goodbye" (a song he wrote for the Jackson 5), performed earlier in the night, as a fitting summary of the collective sentiment. "[Davis] stopped the song at the end and said, 'Michael, we can't say goodbye,' " the guest recalls. "'But what we can say is that we love you.' " (See pictures...