Michael Jackson’s family have come to blows over plans for the tragic singer’s funeral. 
According to Michael’s manager Dr Tohme Tohme, the King of Pop’s brothers and father Joe wanted a shrine for Michael at the Neverland Ranch but his mother and sisters vetoed the idea.
His Jackson Five brothers also wanted an open coffin funeral, similar to that of soul singer James Brown, and for the star to be driven through the streets so that mourners could throw flowers, as at Princess Diana’s funeral.
But their mother Katherine, 79, has overruled them, saying she felt an open coffin would be “ghoulish” and harmful to Michael’s three children, of whom she has temporary legal guardianship.
“The family is fiercely divided,” a source told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper. “You’ve got the brothers on one hand, who all want to perform and turn the funeral into a showbiz extravaganza, and then you have Katherine on the other side who is a deeply religious woman and is determined that this won’t descend into a circus.”
Dr Tohme added, “His brothers wanted the final resting place to be Neverland but the rest of the family didn’t want him there for some reason that’s not known to me.
“I tried with some members of the family to provide Neverland as his resting place and to turn it into something. I believe Michael Jackson deserved to be in Neverland — a grand place like Neverland. He is the King of Pop and I think we will not see anyone like him in our lifetime.
“But all his stuff is in storage and I am in control of it. It is Michael Jackson’s items and memorabilia and awards and hopefully we will put it on display in Neverland or whatever the family decide to do with it.”
Death — 1958 – 2009
Jackson, 50, died Thursday (June 25) after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. He was said to have consumed “mountains of medication” as he battled numerous disorders in the year leading up to his tragic demise.
It has been widely reported that an overdose of prescription is to blame for the superstar’s unexpected death.
Jacko was due to begin a series of comeback concerts with an appearance at London’s O2 arena on July 13.
Memorial Service
Jackson’s memorial will take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The program will be simulcast at Los Angeles’ nearby Nokia Theatre.
Michael’s body is now expected to be placed in a closed coffin on a raised plinth during the service. One of his trademark sequined gloves and a black fedora will be placed on top.
Katherine will decide whether Michael’s children — Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II — will attend. If they are there, then sources say they will not be wearing masks.
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