Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
King of Pop Michael Jackson's burial cost $1 million
Listen
0:44
King of Pop Michael Jackson's burial cost $1 million
King of Pop Michael Jackson's burial cost $1 million
Court documents show the cost to bury pop star Michael Jackson in September approached $1 million. The funeral nearly didn’t happen as scheduled.
Jackson died in June, and according to documents released yesterday, his mother, Katherine, submitted a request only three days before his burial for pre-payments by his estate. Without them, she claimed, the funeral wouldn’t take place.
Mrs. Jackson asked for $35,000 for her son’s burial garments; $30,000 for cars and security; $15,000 for a funeral designer; and more than $855,000 to Forest Lawn for cemetery and funeral charges, including the purchase of other crypts in the same mausoleum that houses Jackson’s body.
Estate administrators granted the request. Their lawyer, Howard Weitzman, said he would have done it less expensively, “but it was Michael Jackson, who was larger than life.”
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
