'Private family function' for Jackson funeral

Los Angeles police say Michael Jackson's family is planning a private ceremony at a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.

Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said his department was working with the Jackson family on a "private family function" at the Forest Lawn cemetery. He had no other details.

McDonnell also said police planned to shut down streets around the downtown Staples Centre on Tuesday 7 July, where a public memorial service is planned. Police are trying to keep out tens of thousands of fans who could come without tickets.

Some 1.6 million fans registered online for free tickets for the memorial service in the random drawing of only 8750 names. Each person selected will receive two tickets.

Ticket winners were being notified on Sunday afternoon according to Michael Roth, a spokesman for AEG Live, the owner of the memorial venue.

The odds of getting a ticket for the memorial are about 1 in 183. Only US residents can get tickets.

The tickets will admit 11,000 people to the Staples Centre, plus 6500 in the Nokia Theatre overflow section next door.

The 50-year-old Jackson died on June 25 after going into cardiac arrest in the bedroom of his rented mansion. The cause of Jackson's death has not been determined. Autopsy results are not expected for several weeks.

More than a week after his death, tributes and accolades keep coming. Madonna had a Jackson impersonator dance to Wanna Be Starting Something at her concert on Saturday in the same London arena where he was to stage his comeback.

Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state, said in an interview that Jackson had controversy in his life, but in death his art should be celebrated.

"Yes, there were some challenges in his life,'' the former secretary of state told CNN's State of the Union.

"Yes, there was a great deal of controversy about him. But he's now passed on. Let's celebrate his art.''

The memorial service will be broadcast on five US television networks, after NBC executives changed their minds and decided to air the service live. NBC joins ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment.

Winners receive a unique code and instructions on how to pick up their tickets at an off-site distribution centre. When they pick up their tickets, a wristband will be placed on their wrists.

To prevent ticket scalping, fans must have both the ticket and the wristband to enter Staples Centre. Wristbands that have been ripped, taped or tampered with will be voided.

-AP

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