The Cost Of Michael’s Burial

Court documents have revealed that Michael’s private funeral cost almost $1,000,000.

About two-hundred family and friends attended Michael’s funeral ceremony which took place at Glendale’s Forest Lawn Cemetery on September 4th.

As a globally famous figure, Michael’s funeral was “entirely commensurate” with his status as an entertainer and the world’s grief over his death, Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the executors, said this week; “But it was Michael Jackson, who was larger than life. There’s no reason he should not have a funeral that’s larger than life.” It appears that Janet Jackson had advanced $49,000 to Forest Lawn, and this was to be repaid by the executors of Michael’s estate.

The costs were broken down in the court documents. The cemetery received a total of $855,730, including the purchase of Michael’s mausoleum plot and others around it. This fee comprised $35,000 for burial garments, $2,000 for usher costumes, $959 for embroidery, $11,716 for invitations and programmes, $16,000 for flowers and $15,000 for a funeral designer. Forest Lawn-Glendale charged the Jackson family $5,000 per month to hold Michael’s remains in a temporary vault, prior to his burial.

Other funeral related costs included $21,455 for a “funeral repast” after the service, $3,682 for a framed photograph of Jackson next to the casket and $30,000 for cars and security.

Source: Guardian & MJWN