Sleeping in Beauty ~ Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson

Ten weeks after his untimely death, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest last night at Forest Lawn Glendale in the Great Mausoleum, Holly Terrace, during a much publicized private funeral.  

I was invited to be a guest commentator on ZDF German TV and would like to say a big, big thank you to producer-reporter Melanie Hillmann for arranging my media credentials.  While there, I was also interviewed by Channel One Russia, BBC World News and our local newspaper, the Glendale News-Press.

As a cemetery historian, it was an unparalleled experience to be a part of the scene outside the park gates on Glendale Blvd., which had been closed to traffic for the historic event.

Michael Jackson's casket prior to entombment (© Reuters 9/3/2009)

The Jacksons filmed the funeral (speculation abounds that the footage will be used in their upcoming A&E reality show) and provided a public video feed of the guest arrivals.  Beamed around the world by a pool camera, the feed cut out once Michael's casket arrived at the Great Mausoleum in a hearse after a short drive from the cemetery mortuary.

After the ceremony, I was told by eyewitnesses that once the funeral was over -- which was a loving celebration of Michael's life -- no one from his family opted to watch his casket be entombed. (This is not an unusual practice.)  Forest Lawn personnel handled the sacred, solemn task with dignified professional aplomb, sealing Michael and his gold casket into an elaborate marble sarcophagus some time after approximately 9 p.m.

Based on insider descriptions of the immediate area, my best guess -- and this is ONLY an educated grave hunter's guess, not an officially confirmed fact -- is that Michael now rests on the main floor of the terrace, at the end of a sanctuary hallway with cathedral ceilings, under three stained-glass windows which are a re-creation of Nicola D'Ascenzo's "The Ascension."

No public photos have been released of this stunningly gorgeous location since Michael was possibly entombed there less than 24 hours ago. But a quick look through my Forest Lawn archival materials produced this promotional image, released by Forest Lawn in 1952, showing a final resting place that is truly fit for a king:

Ascension Window Sarcophagus promotional photo
(© 1952 Forest Lawn Memorial-Park Association)

Word has it that the price tag, which also includes an unspecified number of nearby crypts reserved for other family members, is in the neighborhood of $600,000.

This sarcophagus was one of the last (and possibly the last) remaining interment type of its kind on Holly Terrace or within the entire mausoleum itself.  It has remained largely unchanged since it was constructed 50 years ago.  I saw it in person about a year ago. The photo does not do it justice. It's breathtaking.

At that time it was also notable because it remained seemingly unoccupied, sans any engraved names, dates or epitaphs.

The only difference I noticed from the original photo was the addition of a marble and brass waist-high gate in front of the steps, which partitions it off from the rest of the hallway.  Update: the partition was always there per other vintage photos I've seen. The photo above was taken from inside the gate.

Construction began on the Great Mausoleum in late 1917.  It was constructed of steel and concrete, with each terrace on its own foundation, although they are all connected in a "building within a building" architectural style.

Engineers designed the entire structure to be earthquake-proof, and their work stands up today in spite of several monumental tremblers over the decades.

The Great Mausoleum, Holly Terrace addition in red
(© 1939-top, 1952-bottom Forest Lawn Memorial-Park Association)

Holly Terrace was opened to the public on March 21, 1949.  Forest Lawn invited and encouraged the public to visit the new terrace with a promotional campaign that included large ads in newspapers like The Los Angeles Times. 

Glorious artwork such as a marble replica of Donatello's St. George statue and a stain-glassed re-creation of Raphael's "Madonna of the Chair" painting were the attraction -- pre-need purchases of cremation niches, crypts and sarcophaguses within "the finest mausoleum memorial property available anywhere" was the sell. 

Since the Great Mausoleum is rumored to be fairly sold out (no official figures are available) I wonder if this could be an additional reason as to why the public visitation policy (now limited only to the Memorial Terrace to see The Last Supper Window) has radically changed over the years? It seems to make dollars and sense to me.

Thank you to Mark Masek and Harry Martin for your research and brainstorming assistance!

Comments

[lisa]

hi lisa first i would like to say i love michael.everyday i listen to your music and cry its so hard not too.i just wished now they will leave you alone and let you rest in peace.lisa i heard a rumor is it true that michaels body will be resume for further tests.i heard that this is what dr.murray is asking to prove hes innocent of michaels death.i hated to ask you this.please forgive me if this sounded disrestfull.i wouldnt never do that to anyone.i just wished michael would have gotten the respect he deserved.love and miss ya mj.

[Zanna]

There is a source far away that says he is not at Forest Lawn anymore. But the fans can leave their stuff for him there. The family takes it home.

Anyone knows where he is?
Stay safe!

[Patricia Croll]

I must say I have enjoyed reading and seeing the photos of Michael's resting place. I live in St Davids in West Wales UK and will probably never get to LA, this makes it easier, as I can now picture where he is resting. Thank You.

[Michael,you are my ANGEL]

But this is MICHAEL JACKSON!!!
What wonder do you see?
He will be forever THE BEST!!!It doesn't matter where he is-there or in Heaven.
I miss you Michael.....so much!!!

[Michael,you are my ANGEL]

I still can't believe that he was gone.I miss him so much.And,I can't understand what wonder is that he has gold casket and burial site .He is MICHAEL JACKSON AND FOREVER WILL BE THE BEST.It's doesn't matter here,or in Heaven.
Sleep in Peace Dear Angel.I love you and I keep you alive in my heart.God bless your childern.

[shane]

it tok me 1yr to find his burial site. thanks a many

[Karnevalskostüme]

Ich denke, in der ganzen .. Ich mochte diese Informationen sehr. Zumindest habe ich für die ich Sehnsucht war.

[Mearl]

REST MY LOVE....

[Vinnie Guy]

Great photos and commentary. I use cemetary photos in my genealogy work.