Michael Jackson's private funeral to be held on Tuesday, body may be interred in $25,000 gold plated coffin

Jackson's brother Jermaine said last week the singer's family wants to have other memorials around the United States similar to the one that would be held on Tuesday. Speaking to Larry King during Thursday's broadcast of CNN's "Larry King Live," Jermaine said that there would also be a private ceremony for family and some special guests before the public memorial.

Though the Jackson family is tight-lipped about the funeral plans, businesses around Forest Lawn mortuary have reportedly been contacted by the LAPD and asked if their facilities can be used on Tuesday by authorities.

According to Assistant Chief of Los Angeles Police Department, Jim McDonnell, Forest Lawn officials were working with the Jackson family on their plans, which were part of "a package" of events to be held on Tuesday.

McDonnell, however, did not answer questions about exactly where or when Jackson would be buried. While there are five Forest Lawn cemeteries in the Los Angeles area, a long line of media trucks and crews have been parked at the gate of the Hollywood Hills facility for several days in anticipation of Jackson's possible interment there. Jackson's grandmother is buried at the cemetery as are other entertainment stars including Marvin Gaye, Clark Gable.

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Earlier it was reported that the singer would be laid to rest at his Neverland ranch where a spot has been assigned in the 2800 acre estate next to Jackson's private toy train station.

Jackson bought the Neverland address 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road in 1988 for $16 million just after releasing Bad and set about transforming the ranch, set in the heart of wine-growing country, into his fantasy escape from the real world.

He built a theme park, a steam railway, lakes, a cinema and a zoo with giraffes, lions and tigers. It was also the home of his famous pet chimp Bubbles

However, the Jackson family has so far failed to get legal permission to have the singer buried there.

Dr. Tohme R. Tohme, Jackson's friend and once his physician, said he hopes that the singer will be laid to rest at Neverland. The singer had hoped to create a "special place 10 times bigger than Graceland", Tohme explained a home for Jackson memorabilia and awards. But even if that dream has not yet been realized, "he deserves to be buried in the wonderful world he created," the doctor said.

"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," he said.

According to family sources, Jackson, who died of a heart attack on June 25, aged 50, is expected to be buried in a $25,000 (£15,000) 14-karat gold plated coffin similar to that used to inter the soul singer James Brown. His burial attire is being designed by the Los Angeles-based duo Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, who had been working on the costumes for the singer's This Is It tour in London. The information, however, could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, some people are speculating whether Michael Jackson would be given a funeral according to Muslim rituals. Last November, Michael Jackson had reportedly converted to Islam, embracing the new name Mikaeel, in a ceremony with an imam in Los Angeles. If Jackson has indeed converted to Islam, it would mean that he would need to be buried as soon as possible.

Earlier reports suggested that Jackson's family was opting for traditional Islamic burial rituals for the late pop legend. However, there have been doubts over the conversion and Jackson, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, never spoke publicly about it.

"It is the determination of the family to be careful and deliberate on how they plan his celebration of life, because we're talking about a historic figure that really changed pop culture around the world," family representative and prominent New York politician Al Sharpton said.

"This is not something you do carelessly and spontaneously. We must remember they are still grieving and in their grief, determined to uphold his legacy."