I wasn’t going to cover any of the photos from Baroness Margarget Thatcher’s funeral yesterday, but then I saw these photos of Queen Elizabeth and I changed my mind. Please don’t think that I was merely picking and choosing the odd moments when the Queen happened to be greeting someone she liked – this was her expression in nearly every photo. I swear to God, the Queen was practically giddy. She was super-jazzed to be attending a funeral. I’m not trying to be mean or call her out or anything – God knows, the Queen can do whatever she likes. I just thought it was funny. Margaret Thatcher was such a controversial figure (and we don’t really need to get into WHY she was so controversial… yes, her policies were divisive and at times God-awful, but the woman is still dead, you know?), and here we have the monarch, the head of state, Her Majesty the Queen, smiling up a storm at Thatcher’s big state funeral. Here’s a tad more about the Queen’s appearance:

The Queen made a rare appearance at the funeral of a so-called commoner today as she attended the service held in honour of Baroness Thatcher at St Paul’s cathedral. Baroness Thatcher was the Queen’s eighth and longest serving prime minister and the former PM’s friends and allies were said to be delighted the monarch decided to attend.

Traditionally the Queen does not attend funerals of so-called commoners. The only other time she has broken with tradition was in 1965 when she attended the funeral of Winston Churchill.

The Queen, wearing black wool coat and hat with a triple string of pearls at her neck, sat with Prince Philip at her side as she listened to the heartfelt tributes paid to Britain’s first female prime minister.

The decision for the Queen to attend was made last week at a top-level Government meeting to discuss plans for the farewell to the Iron Lady. Palace officials then confirmed the monarch would join mourners at St Paul’s Cathedral.

As reported by the Daily Mail’s Royal Correspondent Rebecca English, the Queen and Margaret Thatcher, born six months apart, were two women very much making their mark in a man’s world. But, Rebecca says, the Queen is often said to have had a less than easy relationship with Margaret Thatcher, her eighth – and longest-serving – prime minister.

‘Always mindful of her constitutional role and cordial to the last, the monarch is nevertheless said to have personally disagreed with some of Mrs Thatcher’s more divisive policies and privately expressed her alarm over issues such as unemployment and the miners’ strike.’

[From The Mail]

I’ve heard that too, in reading various royal biographies. Thatcher was a monarchist, of course, but the Queen was not (and is not?) a flat-out Tory. When Thatcher was serving as prime minister, some even described her relationship with the Queen as “icy”. The Queen allegedly thought Thatcher was a big phony too. Maybe that’s why Ol’ Liz looks so thrilled? No, probably not. She probably looks so happy because nearly everyone at the funeral is her age and she knows all of these old farts. You can see more photos from the funeral here – there were lots of pearls and fascinators!

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Whitney Houston’s funeral was held yesterday. Even though the family said that they wanted a smaller, more private service, they still allowed cameras into New Hope Baptist Church, and several outlets (including CNN) did wall-to-wall coverage of the event. Guests/mourners at the event included Houston’s family, Mariah Carey, Kevin Costner, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton. Here’s some information about everything that went down:

*Bobbi Kristina sat with her grandmother, Cissy Houston, in the front row of the church. Sources say both Cissy and Bobbi Kristina were very emotional. People Mag reports that Bobbi “broke down.” Come on, guys. That’s her mom. Let her grieve.

*Bobby Brown came to the funeral with an entourage of nine people, and allegedly “demanded” that he and everyone he brought be given front-row seats. Media outlets claim that Bobby was allowed in, but not his entourage, so “He was allowed to go in, pay his respects and then he had to leave. He was red-eyed going up to the casket and then left. He was there for 15 minutes.” And then he left with his entourage. A source tells Us Weekly that Whitney’s family is still pretty pissed off at Bobby: “There are family members who felt Bobby drove Whitney into drugs. But now Bobby is clean and Whitney has unfortunately passed. So there’s resentment.”

*But! After Bobby left the funeral, he gave a statement: “My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston,” he said, referring to his three kids from previous relationships Landon, 26, La’princia, 11, Robert Jr., 10, plus Cassius, his two-year-old with wife Alicia Etheridge. “We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.” Is it wrong that I actually agree with him? Whitney would have wanted Bobby to be there for the whole thing, I think.

*Kevin Costner spoke at the funeral. He talked about how The Bodyguard got made and how Whitney was cast and all of that. He also said, “To you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, thinking that maybe they aren’t good enough, I think Whitney would tell you, guard your bodies. And guard the precious miracle of your own life. Then sing your hearts out.” In closing, he got choked up and said, “Off you go Whitney, off you go. Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly Father. When you sing before him, don’t you worry. You’ll be good enough.”

*Whitney’s casket was carried out to “I Will Always Love You”. That casket was super-shiny, right? It almost glittered.

And that’s about it. I’m sure I forgot to include a lot of stuff, but I’ll admit that I barely watched any of the coverage. It felt like everyone was trying to make this into another Michael Jackson-like “event” when Whitney’s family really wanted everything to be much more private. My guess is that Cissy Houston just figured that if she let media outlets have the live feed of the funeral, the media wouldn’t bother them. It was good to see Whitney’s life and accomplishments celebrated, though, and I truly hope Bobby Kristina and Whitney’s family and loved ones found some peace.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.

There are so many stories coming out after Whitney Houston’s untimely death this weekend. I’ll do my best to give an overview. Prior to covering all of this I just want to note that prescription drug overdoses now kill more people in the US than car accidents. I’ve seen prescription drug abuse affect people I know and it’s sad and scary to witness. I have a lot of sympathy for Whitney’s family, and of course for Whitney, but ultimately I feel that she is responsible for her addiction. It’s tragic that she paid for it with her life.

Investigation into her death
The Beverly Hills Police Department has announced that an investigation is ongoing into Whitney’s death, but that “it is not a criminal investigation” and that they are treating it as an accident. They state that “as of right now, it is a coroner’s case” and that they do not yet know the cause of death. TMZ claimed that a few pills were recovered at the scene including Xanax, Amoxicillin for a sore throat that Whitney was suffering, and Midol. Radar claims that three different sedatives were found in the room: Xanax, Lorazepam, and Valium.

Sedatives can cause serious side effects when mixed with alcohol. It’s known that Whitney was drinking that night. Some reports claim that Whitney’s family was told that there was not enough water in her lungs to conclude that she had died from drowning in the tub. Radar is now reporting that preliminary toxicology reports found benzodiazepines in her system. All of the sedatives reportedly found at the scene are benzodiazepines and can be fatal if mixed.

Whitney’s financial situation
Just prior to Whitney passing, the Enquirer ran a story that she was nearly destitute, and was back on drugs. Their sister site Radar Online has more on Whitney’s financial situation before she died, and they claim that she had been borrowing money from producer Clive Davis to live on. Whitney had a film coming up later this year that she co-produced and starred in, Sparkle, on which she was said to be hanging her hopes on a comeback. It will come out in August as scheduled and previous reports that it would be released early are said to be false.

The death scene
Both TMZ and Fox News are running photos featuring the tub where Whitney died and the remnants of the food she ordered from room service that fateful night. It’s tasteless to say the least and I don’t get the fascination with it.

The funeral plans
Whitney’s body has been returned to New Jersey on a private jet belonging to Tyler Perry. Her remains are being interred at a funeral home in her hometown of Newark, NJ. Her family is reportedly considering holding a wake on Thursday and a funeral on Friday. They’re said to be considering a public service at the Prudential center, which holds 18,000.

Whitney’s family
We’ve heard that Whitney’s only child, her 18 year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, has been understandably inconsolable and needed to be hospitalized twice in the days following her mother’s death. Bobbi is said to have mixed a sedative with booze, just like her poor mom, and to have passed out. Bobbi’s most recent problems with drugs and alcohol may have preceded her mother’s death. She’s said to have also fallen asleep in a tub in the same hotel her mom died in, the day before Whitney’s died in an eerily similar way. Bobbi’s dad, Whitney’s ex husband Bobby Brown, has flown back to L.A. to be with his daughter.

Finger pointing and blame
Chaka Khan went on Piers Morgan last night and put a few people on blast for allowing Whitney, who has a well known and admitted history with addiction, to party in LA a week prior to her performance. I get that when someone dies you want to figure out why. As I mentioned above, Whitney made the decision to put those pills in her mouth. It’s not anyone’s fault and unlike Anna Nicole Smith it’s not like they were keeping her drugged for some nefarious purpose.

Celine Dion also made a statement that “It’s just really unfortunate that drugs, bad people, bad influences took over her dreams, her motherhood.” She also made comparisons to Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse, and Michael Jackson. It seemed a little harsh at this point, but a lot of other people are saying it.

Condolences and tributes for Whitney
So many of us are in mourning that such a talented woman has died well before her time. There are a lot of sweet tributes in the press from celebrities who knew her and were inspired by her. Here are just a few:

Jennifer Hudson called it “greatest honor of my life” to sing for Whitney at the Grammys and said “I haven’t stopped crying since she passed.”

Singer Brandy said “My heart is destroyed. I lost my idol and dear friend.”

Bobby Brown issued a statement that he was “deeply saddened” and asked for privacy.

Even President Obama issued a statement through his press secretary, who said “I know that his thoughts and prayers are with her family, especially her daughter.”

And Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell made a visit to the Beverly Hilton, where Whitney died, to place flowers at a memorial for her there.

RIP Whitney.

Photo credit: WENN.com

You can see the photos at TMZ.

This story pretty much floored me when I first saw it, and I sat there staring at the photos for a while. Then I stopped and thought about it, and it’s not even as bizarre as putting a deceased person in an open casket, which is common. This is the Duggar’s way of making sense of their loss, and giving an identity to the child that Michelle miscarried. It seems over the top to me, but I’m not them and they’re suffering a very profound loss. Their last baby, Josie, wasn’t much older than this miscarried child when she was born by emergency c-section three months early.

So as you know, Michelle Duggar, 45, miscarried around her 19th week of pregnancy. It would have been her 20th child. They named the baby Jubilee Shalom and held a family service for her. At a larger memorial for friends and family yesterday, the Duggar family shared black and white photos of Michelle holding Jubilee’s tiny hands and feet. On the photo of Michelle holding a little foot about the size of her thumbnail, there was writing in mixed cursive and serif fonts. It said “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.” It was an effective message, I’ll say that. It brought their sadness home for me. TMZ and Radar got ahold of the scans of the photos, which a relative of the Duggars tweeted. You can see them there. Here’s more:

The family from TLC’s “19 Kids & Counting” chose a unique way to commemorate the life of their 20th child, who passed away this week in a miscarriage — they took an artsy picture of the fetal corpse … and distributed it at the memorial.

Jubilee Shalom Duggar was due in April … but Michelle Duggar suffered a miscarriage on Sunday in her 2nd trimester.

The Duggars held a memorial today at their church in Arkansas, where they distributed the above photographs — containing messages like, “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.” – From TMZ

---

The deeply religious Duggar family held a memorial service Wednesday for the baby that Michelle Duggar tragically miscarried, and family members joined in prayers for the child.

Named Jubilee Shalom Duggar, Michelle and Jim Bob announced the sad news on December 8 that the pregnancy was not continuing as the baby had tragically passed away, and Michelle had a miscarriage days later.

Amy Duggar, a cousin who frequently appears on their hit TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Tweeted a picture of Michelle holding the tiny hand of baby Jubilee and wrote “RIP precious Jubilee Shalom Duggar! Can’t wait to meet you someday, thank you Lord for giving our family peace.”

Michelle was five months pregnant when she miscarried what would have been the Duggar’s 20th child.

Jim Bob spoke lovingly of the child that they lost.

“We won’t be able to see this child’s life and the phases that we’ve seen for our other children, but we know we will see this child in heaven one day. We are thankful for each child, and we are blessed to have the children we have here and the ones we will meet someday in heaven.” – Radar

[From TMZ and Radar]

Now I’m wondering if they’re going to air any of this memorial or the service on their TLC show. I would assume they’ll show at least part of it, they’ve been open about the pregnancy and their loss. Those photos from the memorial that their cousin tweeted were deleted from her Twitter feed, though. It seems like cousin Amy realized that she shouldn’t have made those photos public, but they’re out now. I feel so bad for admitting this, but I wondered if they were trying to save those to reveal on their reality show. Maybe they were just meant to be for friends and family. It just seems like as nice as these people may be and as much of a tragedy they’re suffering, they’re reality stars and that trumps everything. Even if they don’t mean for it to, you know?

We heard the sad news last week that Michelle Duggar had lost what would have been her 20th baby while she was in her second trimester od pregnant. Mrs. Duggar was at the obstetrician to learn the sex of the baby when she was told that the baby’s heartbeat couldn’t be found. She was sent home to let the miscarriage happen “naturally.” (Those of you who have gone through that harrowing experience wrote that there’s nothing “natural” about it. My heart goes out to you.) Michelle went home to rest and started feeling lightheaded, so she returned to the hospital and was kept for observation. The Duggar family issued a heart wrenching statement about their loss. The baby was a little girl that they named “Jubilee Shalom” in keeping with the tradition of naming all their kids with letter “J” names. “Jubilee” has meaning in Christianity as a “special year of remission of sins and universal pardon.” “Shalom” is a Hebrew word that means “peace” and “completeness” and can be used to say “hello” and “goodbye.” The family held a service for Jubilee Sunday and will have a memorial for friends and family.

Following the miscarriage late Sunday night, Michelle began to feel lightheaded and as a precaution was taken to the hospital, where she was kept for observation, according to a family spokesperson. Michelle is recovering well and expected to return home later on Monday, the spokesperson adds.

“We have had many tears today,” says Jim Bob Duggar, 46. “This is life, and I understand that we are going though something that many others have. You think about the what-ifs, but God gives us strength to go on. We won’t be able to see this child’s life and the phases that we’ve seen for our other children, but we know we will see this child in heaven one day. We are thankful for each child, and we are blessed to have the children we have here and the ones we will meet someday in heaven.”

Jubilee Duggar’s memorial service will be for friends and Duggar family members, who on late Sunday already held a private service in their home.

“We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, emails and outpouring of love,” Jim Bob wrote in a letter he shared with PEOPLE. “As our whole family is grieving, we also know that God promises to work all things for good in our lives. Our prayer is that Jubilee’s passing will help us all realize that this life is short, and our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. He gives us a peace in our hearts as He guides us through whatever we might face.”

Though the family is in mourning, Jim Bob says they are grateful for the health of youngest daughter, Josie, who turned 2 on Dec. 10. Josie survived against all odds after being born at just 25 weeks and 1 lb., 6 oz. and has developed normally with no lasting impairments.

[From People]

The family’s statement got me choked up. I read an article on Fox 411 yesterday in which doctors were interviewed about Michelle’s miscarriage. The Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD, Jennifer Landa, pointed out that the miscarriage rate for women over 45 is about 50%. Michelle is 45. Landa said that she would advise Michelle against future pregnancies, and she didn’t mince words about it. “I would advise her to consider stop having children. In my opinion, she has a duty to the children she already has not to incur unnecessary risk that may occur with trying to have another child. She needs to be there for the kids she already has. Additionally, her odds of having a baby with special needs are extraordinarily high and this may take away time and resources from the other children. I feel for her because miscarriages are never easy. There are lots of hopes and dreams that are born with each positive pregnancy test, but in my opinion, it is time for her to hang up the baby booties.” Many people agree with Landa.

All of the great Elizabeth Taylor stories begin with Elizabeth being late. She was compulsive about it – she would never show up anywhere on time, even if it was just breakfast with her family. So Elizabeth requested something special for her funeral – that she would could show up “fashionably late” – 15 minutes after the funeral was supposed to start. That’s really cool. Also, the funeral took place so quickly because Elizabeth was Jewish – she converted for Mike Todd and Eddie Fisher, and she loved her adopted faith. When Richard Burton bought her the Krupp, which had once been owned by a Nazi, Elizabeth said it was wonderful that it now belonged to “a nice Jewish girl.”

She was a Hollywood original to the end.

Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest Thursday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., in a small, private funeral attended by friends and family that began 15 minutes after schedule – under instructions she left.

“She even wanted to be late for her own funeral,” a family rep said in a statement.

Taylor’s casket was closed and draped with gardenias, violets, and lily of the valley. She was interred in The Great Mausoleum, the same resting place for her longtime friend Michael Jackson.

The one-hour, multi-denominational service officated by Rabbi Jerry Cutler included a reading by actor Colin Farrell, a friend of Taylor’s, of Gerard Manley Hopkins’s poem “The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo.”

Taylor’s son Michael Wilding, her daughter Liza and her grandson Tarquin Wilding also read selections, and her grandson Rhys Tivey performed a trumpet solo of “Amazing Grace.”

The acting legend died Wednesday at the age of 79.

[From People]

I wonder if Colin Farrell was the only big star there? Elizabeth survived most of her contemporaries, true, but she still had a lot of friends amongst the current Hollywood crowd. I love that Colin did a reading. I would have loved to see the two of them having lunch together – Colin would have been right up Elizabeth’s alley. Rest in peace, Elizabeth!

Sidenote – In the funeral plans I’ve drawn up (in my mind) for my own service, my urn is carried out to the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”. Isn’t this a great final song?

Photos courtesy of Fame.

A private memorial was held for beloved actor Patrick Swayze on Sunday. Swayze passed last month at the age of 57 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. The details of the memorial are touching. Patrick, who lived out some of his final months at the ranch he shared in New Mexico with his wife of 31 years, Lisa Neimi, was an avid horseman and bred Arabian horses. One of his horses, a white stallion, was at the memorial with Patrick’s boots placed backwards in the stirrups. People Magazine calls this “an old horseman tradition,” and it’s something I’ve never heard of before. Different reports on Askville.Amazon.com indicate that the tradition of using riderless horses at a funeral dates back to Roman times and is sometimes included in services for fallen soldiers and heads of state. The horse of the deceased often follows the casket, although in Patrick’s case the body was cremated so the horse was just there as a silent reminder of his owner.

Swayze’s memorial also included a dance tribute planned by his widow and performed by professional dancers. There was also a video memorial and speeches by his loved ones. In a way I’m glad that the memorial was private as it was for his family and friends and shouldn’t have been turned into a spectacle. On the other hand it sounds incredible and I would have liked to have seen it. Just reading about it makes me tear up:

Guests arriving for Patrick Swayze’s private memorial on Sunday were greeted by a lone white horse, which was owned and beloved by the late actor whose boots were facing backwards in the stirrups.

“It’s an old horseman tradition,” a source tells PEOPLE of the gesture.

Held on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, Calif., the service – attended by several hundred friends and family, including Whoopi Goldberg – incorporated many photos of Swayze riding his horses, along with a video tribute to the star, who died from pancreatic cancer on Sept. 14.

The memorial, planned by the actor’s wife Lisa Niemi, featured speeches celebrating Swayze’s life and a performance by professional dancers in honor of his talent.

“A whole dance floor was built,” says another source. “The dancers did these amazing numbers.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to The Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund or Stand Up to Cancer.

[From People]

A couple of weeks ago I rewatched Dirty Dancing in honor of Patrick. I had forgotten what a great movie it was. There was something so vulnerable yet masculine about Patrick. He struck me as a rare type of actor who is able to play the sensitive male lead without a hint of artifice. He just seemed like a great guy.

Patrick’s personal life was much more troubled than we might assume. His autobiography, co-written with his wife Lisa Neimi, came out last week. Lisa and Patrick revealed that they lived separate lives for about a year, in 2003, when she rented an apartment about 20 minutes from their home. Patrick was in the throes of alcoholism at the time. He is said to have turned to drinking after his father’s death in 1982 and the suicide of his sister in 1994. Prior to Patrick’s cancer diagnosis, he had been reunited with Lisa for about four years, and the past two years they had together they were closer than ever. RIP Patrick, you will be missed by so many.

I can’t decide how I feel about the Jackson family right now. No matter their past or their issues, they’ve lost a close family member and I feel they’re due some empathy and respect like anyone would be. On the other hand, it’s hard not to feel like in an attempt to be kind we’re often willfully turning a blind eye to all the ways they’re still trying to make money off of Michael’s memory. His funeral is a great example of this push and pull. The family made such a big deal about how they had to have nothing but absolute privacy. They managed to even get the airspace blocked off. Yet people ignored it, and now they’re beyond livid. However it turns out the Jacksons filmed the funeral themselves for a DVD they’re releasing. So is their real motivation privacy or money?

Randy Jackson is furious footage of Michael’s funeral at Forest Lawn is being broadcast all over the world, saying it was a private event and not meant for the public to see. Jackson just released a scathing statement condemning those who violated the no-fly zone over Forest Lawn last night — asking all media organizations to refrain from airing any more footage of the event.

Here’s Randy’s full statement:

“As a family, we are all aware of how Michael’s life, and his death, touched so many around the world. It is why we held a public memorial in my brother’s honor. And it is the reason we chose to release a small amount of footage leading up to yesterday’s ceremony at Forest Lawn. I was dismayed last night and again today at the coverage I saw on television of our ceremony for Michael. We had asked the media to respect the privacy and the sanctity of this event; to give us one moment of privacy to mourn as a family out of the public spotlight.

Unfortunately, despite a no-fly zone around Forest Lawn, many media organizations decided to ignore our wishes. They employed helicopters that not only surreptitiously recorded our private family ceremony, but also severely disrupted it. I therefore ask today that media organizations airing helicopter footage of the ceremony we held for my brother immediately pull that footage from their air and refrain from airing it in the future.”

[From TMZ]

But here’s that little tidbit about how the Jackson family is actually just trying to make money off his funeral themselves. They even filmed the “after party” (poor word to describe it, but that’s what they called it) held at a restaurant after Michael’s funeral.

There were were cameras shooting everything at the after-party for Michael Jackson’s burial — and we’re told the whole thing could end up on A&E.

Sources tell TMZ footage from inside the party — as well as the funeral itself — will be used for an A&E special, plus a DVD at a later date.

Don’t expect to see Joe or Katherine Jackson, Michael’s three children or Elizabeth Taylor in the footage though — we’re told none of them went to the restaurant after the burial.

A few other random tidbits about the affair: Rat Pack music played all night, “Casablanca” was projected onto the walls, the brothers talked about a reunion tour — and Janet seemed the most grief stricken of the group.

[From TMZ]

And as an aside, Rev. Al Sharpton Tweeted his way through Jackson’s funeral service. In case there wasn’t enough tacky behavior going on.

According to MSNBC, the reason Katherine Jackson almost didn’t go to the funeral was because she was so distraught over how public it had become. I find that confusing. They couldn’t expect complete and total privacy – they chose to hold the service outdoors. And Michael was interred – they certainly could have done it indoors if absolute privacy was necessary. And nothing about Michael’s life was really private. I understand why she would have wanted it to be totally private, but I’m confused about why she thought that would actually happen. Again, especially with the family filming things for their DVD.

Katherine Jackson apparently was the source of the delay of the start of Michael Jackson’s burial service on Thursday night. A source in direct contact with the family said Katherine didn’t begin getting ready at her Encino home until 6:45 p.m., just 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

“She actually had to be coerced into going in the end,” said the source. “It was like the reality of what this had turned into — an event and not anything remotely private — hit her all at once.”

Katherine and the rest of the Jacksons ultimately made it to the Glendale Forest Lawn cemetery, where guests such as Elizabeth Taylor had been waiting for nearly two hours in some cases.

Taylor’s appearance was a surprise to many — though she was one of Jackson’s closest confidantes, she was not at the public memorial in July. The source says Taylor was actually not invited to the July 7 private ceremony that took place just before the public event at the Staples Center, and this invite was extended at the last minute.

“She didn’t go to Staples because she didn’t want to be part of the spotlight. When she accepted a rather last minute invite to this memorial, she thought it was really going to be private. She had no idea that she’d be on camera so much. She definitely didn’t expect to wait outside for hours,” said the source.

[From MSNBC]

I never expected to be impressed with the Jackson family through this, and I’ve gone back and forth. True, they could certainly have been much tackier than they were. So I guess they’ve dialed down some of the drama. But filming Michael’s funeral, and then releasing a terse statement about how upset you are that other people did the same? You’re filming it to make money. Whatever reason other people are filming it, it can’t be more crass than that. I want to give them some leeway because of what they’re going through, but it seems like this was always and will always be about the almighty dollar.

Here’s Katherine and Joe Jackson at the funeral. We’re only using these photos because they were released by the family. Images thanks to WENN.com .

Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest last night in a private ceremony at Forest Hills Cemetery in Glendale, California. Friends and family including Liz Taylor, Macauley Culkin, and Chris Tucker were at the ceremony for the King of Pop, who passed away over two months ago from an apparent accidental drug overdose. The Jackson family was an hour and a half late to the cemetery, arriving in their motorcade around 8:30 despite a start time of 7:00 pm. Mourners waited patiently in nearly 90 degree weather for the Jackson family to arrive. When the outdoor ceremony began, Micheal Jackson’s three children placed a jeweled crown on top of his casket. It was also covered in white flowers, with white lilies and roses throughout.

Jackson will be interred in a mausoleum in Forest Hills that is not open to the public. The Associated Press has reported that the Jackson family has purchased 12 plots in Forest Hills Glendale, although they don’t specify where they are or whether family members plan to be buried in the mausoleum near Michael.

The Jackson family has released some photos to the public of the ceremony, and we have some of those here. They’re also said to have used artificial lighting that suggests that the private funeral may become publicly available, either through a reality show or DVD release, at some point:

aris Jackson wept as she stepped into the mausoleum where her father, Michael, was to be entombed. Katherine Jackson, overcome by sorrow, turned back when she was faced with her son’s final resting place.

On a sultry Thursday evening, amid a sea of white flowers and with a bejeweled crown placed atop his casket by his children, the King of Pop was given an intimate, private version of the lavish public memorial held shortly after his death in June.

Gladys Knight performed the hymn “Our Father” (The Lord’s Prayer) and moved many to tears, according to one guest who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the day.

When it was over, many of the the 200 mourners hugged each other. Among them were Elizabeth Taylor, Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Barry Bonds and Macaulay Culkin.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who gave a eulogy at the public event and at Thursday’s service, also extolled Knight’s earlier performance of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

“Gladys Knight sang her heart out. Now we prepare to lay him to rest,” Sharpton posted on his Twitter account during the service that was held outside and then within the marble mausoleum.

The mourners followed the crowned, lushly flower-draped casket as Jackson’s five brothers – each wearing a bright red tie and a single crystal-studded glove – carried it into the mausoleum. The 11-year-old Paris cried as the group entered the imposing building and was comforted by her aunt, LaToya.

Paris and brothers Prince Michael, 12, and Prince Michael II, 7, known as Blanket, began the service by placing the crown on their father’s golden casket. They were composed through most of the hour-and-a-half ceremony.

As it ended, Katherine Jackson appeared extremely weary and had to be helped to her car, according to the guest. Earlier, she had a difficult time going into the mausoleum; she was overcome, turned back, and it wasn’t clear if she went in at all, the guest said.

The Jackson family’s tardy arrival delayed the service for nearly two hours; no explanation was given to mourners. The invitation notice indicated the service would begin promptly at 7 p.m.; it began closer to 8:30.

The 77-year-old Taylor and others were left waiting in the late summer heat, with the temperature stuck at 90 degrees just before sunset, and some mourners fanned themselves with programs for the service. As darkness fell, police escorted the family’s motorcade of 31 cars, including Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, from their compound in Encino to Forest Lawn, about a 20-minute journey, with the hearse bearing Jackson’s body at the end.

About 250 seats were arranged for mourners over artificial turf laid roadside at the mausoleum, and a vivid orange moon, a mark of the devastating wildfire about 10 miles distant, hung over the cemetery.

There were two oversized portraits of a youthful, vibrant Jackson mounted next to the casket amid displays of white lilies and roses. At Jackson’s lavish public memorial, red roses covered his casket.

A large, blimp-like inflated light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hovered over the seating area placed in front of the elaborate marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility that the footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary “This Is It,” or perhaps the Jackson brothers’ upcoming reality show.

[From AP via The Huffington Post]

It seems like so long ago that Michael Jackson died, as if we’ve somehow learned something about life since then. I know that sounds so esoteric, but it’s hard to describe it. It’s like those of us who grew up with his music all kind of faced our own mortality when he passed. Seeing these photos of his friends and family tears at my heartstrings. RIP Michael, you will not be forgotten.

(We usually do not publish photos of private funerals, but these are the ones released by the family.)

Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce are among the stars who didn’t show up Michael Jackson’s memorial service yesterday. MTV reported ahead of the event that Timberlake would be there although he didn’t attend. Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, who were close to Jackson, didn’t attend due to personal reasons and both said they didn’t want to make their grief public. Was it a snub that many music industry stars, most of whom issued statements after Jackson’s death, stayed away? Were they afraid of overshadowing the family or the event, or did they stay home for some other reason?

It was expected to be the who’s who of everyone in the entertainment industry, bigger than President Obama’s inauguration, more star-studded than Princess Diana’s funeral.

A number of them came, like Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Lionel Richie. But many of the most famous people in the music world didn’t show up to Michael Jackson’s memorial Tuesday.

Among the stars expected to attend who did not: Quincy Jones, who produced some of Jackson’s biggest hits, Beyonce Knowles, who paid tribute to Jackson at June 28′s BET awards, and Macaulay Culkin, who spent time at Jackson’s Neverland ranch as a boy.

Some of Jackson’s closest friends also shunned the service. Diana Ross, the soul legend Jackson emulated and the potential guardian of his three children, declined to attend and instead issued a statement to the media as the memorial began.

“I am trying to find closure,” Ross said in her statement. “I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center, I am there in my heart. I have decided to pause and be silent. This feels right for me. Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express….”

Screen and stage legend Liza Minnelli and her ex-husband, David Gest, both longtime pals of Jackson’s, were also no-shows.

Then there’s the bevy of successful musicians who count Jackson as their contemporary and/or inspiration (if not their personal friend) who were notably absent from the proceedings: fellow legends Madonna, Prince and Elton John, pop stars Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, and Sheryl Crow, who began her career as a back-up singer for Jackson in the 1980s. They all sang Jackson’s praises to the press in the days following his death — why not show up to the main event?

[From ABC News]

The article goes on to point out that Britney and Madonna are both touring and it’s likely they couldn’t get away. It’s also possible that they wanted to perform but didn’t have the time and didn’t want to show up without doing some kind of tribute to Jackson. The celebrities might have felt that the day was about the family and Jackson’s legacy and they weren’t going to come and make it about them. It was about the fans and the gift that Jackson left us with his music. Until I read about the celebrity no-shows today I didn’t notice who wasn’t there because I was focused on the message and the music. The service really moved me, and that’s what matters, not who showed up.

Here is Britney in Paris yesterday taking her sons to The Eiffel Tower. Credit: Fame Pictures