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

Photo agency Bauer-Griffin put together the complete Michael Jackson memorial program in order, and it’s all below. There are lots of heartfelt condolences from friends and family members, and many are hard to identify as they use the nicknames he had for them. Some of people who were closest to Michael in the last few years worked for him, and they have memories of a kind, gentle man they were privileged to know.

I met Michael Jackson during a very dark period. The forces of evil were trying to take him away from us. The man I came to know was a kind, gentle soul who wanted to heal the world through music, art, love and decency. He succeeded. It was an honor and a privilege to defend him.
Rest in peace, Michael.
- Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr. [Michael Jackson's attorney in his 2005 trial]

Dear Michael, the last 17 years with you I will never forget. Thank you for your love your understanding. Thank you for entrusting me with you precious children, my love for them will never waver. Through the peaks and the valleys, we laughed hard, and we cried but through it all you taught me to always rise above it. I miss you so much but I know that you are in a better place. Rest in Peace, my friend.
With love,
- Grace Rwaramba [Nanny to Michael Jackson's children]

Mr. Jackson, being your personal assistant for the past two years has not been a job but a phenomenal and empowering experience. Words are too simple to express my most humble gratitude for being blessed to talk, work, and just be in your presence daily. You were more than my employer you were my mentor and friend. I will forever honor your legacy by fulfilling our promise. You will always live in my heart. Your Friend,
- Brother Michael (Michael Amir)

Michael, we have been so privileged to have been able to call you our Boss. You will forever remain in our hearts, we love you, respect you and we will forever treasure are [sic] own fond memories of you…
Bye for now, – The Hayvenhurst Five – Janice, Jesus, Abel, Jorge & Olinda

Dearest Michael, how do we even begin to tell you what you meant to us? What a beautiful journey we had with you. You touched so many lives and we are honored to have been one of them. How blessed are we to have been given the opportunity to see your dream of Neverland grow and flourish. What a lesson we learned in compassion, generosity and love from you.

Because of you, the sound of children’s laughter, the whistle of a steam train or the whirl of a carousel, will always bring a smile to our hearts. You will forever be felt in the gentle breezes rustling through the trees, in the trickling of streams and in the stillness of the valley of Neverland.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your deam. The enormity of what you gave and created leaves us speechless. May you sing with the Angels above, our love forever
- Your Neverland Family

[From Michael Jackson's memorial program, bracketed text added]

There are messages to Michael from his nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters, uncles, and friends. He was truly loved and will be missed. I just wish we could of heard more at his memorial from the people who were closest to him. It was likely too painful for them, as we saw from some of the heartbreaking impromptu speeches from the family at the end. The family relied on their friends to be strong and carry the service for them, and they did it beautifully in song and in spoken word. It was a real tribute to Michael and to what he left us.

I’ve been thinking about Michael Jackson’s memorial and about the controversial and complicated life he led. It really seemed like his memorial paid tribute to his childhood, career, and the massive impact he had on the world instead of honoring the gentle, somewhat strange man behind the phenomenon. It’s like after he turned 30 Michael became some unknown character and the people who spoke at his memorial ignored that. Maybe that’s fitting as it was meant for the public and that’s really all we knew of him. Everything else was rumor and conjecture as the media tried to fill in the blanks about his private life.

I don’t want to focus the whole story on this, but the crux of my question is – if he did abuse kids, should we mourn him less? I do think he was manipulated by families out for large sums of money, and there are just two cases where he was accused and only one that went to trial. As Rep Sheila Jackson Lee said during his memorial “We understand the Constitution, we understand law, and we know that people are innocent until proven guilty.”

There will always be gossip and innuendo surrounding this man – it persisted after he was acquitted and will remain after his death. Was that gossip warranted and/or did it somehow contribute to the drug addiction that killed him? We may never know. Maybe that’s part of the reason that we’re focusing on the Michael the public knew, the young hugely talented guy who we grew up with and loved. It’s just too hard to reconcile the moonwalking legend with the caricature he became at the end. We might have had a chance to do that if he would have been able to perform next Monday. As it is, we were given memories from his youth and the deep sadness from his family. Paris loved her daddy, and that strange morphed man who meant everything to his kids was about to take to the stage again and help show his fans that we could still celebrate him as a changed man. Instead he died, and our love for who he used to be poured over and had nowhere to go.

Here are the videos from Jackson’s memorial, in order.

Smokey Robinson reads statement from Diana Ross:

Smokey Robinson reads statement from Nelson Mandela:

Gospel choir sings “We are Going To See The King” as Jackson’s coffin is brought in and placed in the center in front of the stage.

Pastor Lucious Smith gives introduction:

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sing “I’ll Be There.”

Queen Latifah represents the fans and reads a poem from Maya Angelou written specifically for Jackson titled “We Had You.”

Motown founder Berry Gordy talks about Michael Jackson’s career and talent:

A montage of moments from Jackson’s career played:

Stevie Wonder sings “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer”

Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant gave remembrances

Jennifer Hudson sings “Will You Be There”

Rev Al Sharpton talked about Michael’s family and how he broke barriers for African Americans

Sharpton offers some powerful words to Michael’s kids “Wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it anyway.”

John Mayer plays “Human Nature” poignantly while a choir sings behind him

Brooke Shields talks about her friendship with Michael from a young age, reads a passage from The Little Prince and says his favorite song was “Smile Though Your Heart is Aching” from the Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times.

Jermaine Jackson then comes on to sing that song, “Smile Though Your Heart is Aching”

Martin Luther King III, MLK’s son, and Bernice A. King, his sister and MLK’s daughter, offer condolences:

US congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee gives a rousing speech.

Usher sings “Gone Too Soon” and goes off stage to touch Michael’s casket. It’s too much for him and he starts to cry:

Smokey Robinson comes on and says “I wrote that song, I thought I sang it… Two later, here comes this little kid, who’s ten years old…. I could not believe that someone that young could have that much feeling and soul.”

Shaheen Jafargholi from Britain’s Got Talent sang “Who’s Loving You”

Kenny Ortega, Michael’s partner in the creation of the tour, talks about his planned final concerts

Michael’s backup singers and dancers sing “We Are The World” and all the speakers come on stage

They go into “Heal The World”

The family speaks and it’s heartbreaking. Paris says “I just want to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could every imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

Photos thanks to WENN.com

I started to write up a story about how the MJ concert was filled with too many people from his early past that didn’t really know him, but then the family came out to speak briefly and you can tell why no one very close to Michael gave eulogies earlier on – it was too painful and raw for them. I was starting to get cynical at the end of the memorial, when his backup singers and dancers came on stage for “We Are The World.” That wasn’t the end, and his family tried their best to give their remembrances afterwards and it was heartbreaking and meaningful. Especially touching was Michael’s brother Marlin asking him to hug his twin brother, Brandon, in heaven for him, and Michael’s daughter Paris calling Michael “the best father you could ever imagine.”

Here’s a recap of the events tonight in order, along with the highlights. I took notes and these quotes are only approximate transcriptions as I had to type while the ceremony was in progress.

-Smokey Robinson opened by reading a condolence letter from Nelson Mandela, a personal friend of Michael’s who had met him several times.

- They then had a pause of over 25 minutes due to an audio problem with the Staples Center.

- A gospel choir sang “We are Poised Going to See The King”

- Jackson’s family members put his casket in the front of the stage lit by lights. It’s gold but looked platinum under the lights and was adorned with roses

- Pastor Lucious Smith then came on and spoke about Jackson:
“To millions around the world, Michael Jackson was a hero, an idol and even a king but first and foremost, he was a… brother…. a friend. Today we gather those who know and love Michael best and those who know and love him through his good works…”

MTV Shows

- Mariah Carey then sang a duet with Trey Lorenz to “I’ll Be There.” She held her chest at times and you could tell she was struggling with grief.

They changed the words at the end to “Just say my name – Michael. We’ll never say goodbye. Even through the pain and heartache we will be right there. We miss you.”

MTV Shows

- Queen Latifah told a cute anecdote about growing up as a fan and trying to do the robot
“I’m here representing all the fans… Michael was the biggest star on earth.”

- Latifah read a poem Maya Angelou written specifically for Jackson titled “We Had You.” (I took notes, but MTV has the full poem already)

- Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, talked about Jackson’s talent and said Jackson was like a son to him. He said “We all knew he was special” from a young age.

“I think he was simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” The crowd then stood up.

- A video montage of Jackson then played

- Stevie Wonder played “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.” “Why Didn’t You Stay.” He tried to make sense of Michael’s death:
“This is a moment that I wished I didn’t live to see come, but as much as I can say that and mean it I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we say… that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him more.

“Michael I love you and I’ve told you that many times, so I’m at peace with that… I never imagined that I would write a song that would be sent to Quincy Jones… and you would do this song, and so… incredibly you did this song.”

- Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant came on stage. Magic talked about going to MJ’s house to talk about being in his video “Remember the Time” and
seeing Michael Jackson eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. “We had such a great time, sitting on the floor, eating that bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

MTV Shows

- Pregnant Jennifer Hudson came out to sing Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There”
It featured a very sad reading at the end by Michael of some of the lyrics and it came across as a little schmaltzy.

- Rev Al Sharpton talked about Michael’s family and how he broke barriers for African Americans

He said he wanted to say to his children:
“Wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy, was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it anyway.

“Some came to say goodbye to Michael. I came to say thank you. Thank you because you never stopped… Thank you because you eradicated barriers… Thank you because you gave us hope. Thank you Michael.”

- John Mayer played guitar and made his O face to “Human Nature” while a choir sang behind him.

- Brooke Shields talked about her friendship with Michael from a young age.
“It was the most natural and easiest of friendships…. Micheal loved to laugh… he adored it when I did silly imitations or told him stories about my life…
MJ’s laughs… was the purest of anyone I’ve ever known.”

She read a passage from the book The Little Prince about the sleeping prince and his love of a flower, and talked about Michael’s favorite song, “Smile Though Your Heart is Aching” from the Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times.

- Jermaine Jackson then came on to sing that song, “Smile Though Your Heart is Aching”

- Martin Luther King III, MLK’s son, and Bernice A. King, his sister and MLK’s daughter came on. Martin said “Michael Jackson was truly the best of what he was,” while Bernice told a story about how Michael once called their mom after she suffered a stroke and a few months before she died. “My only wish is that he could have seen the glow on her face.”

- US congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee then came on and gave a rousing speech.
“We understand the Constitution, we understand law, and we know that people are innocent until proven guilty…
“Michael never stopped giving and he touched those whose lives could be reconstructed.” She said they have a new bill to honor Michael Jackson and had a moment of silence on the House floor in honor of MJ.

- Usher then sang “Gone Too Soon” and walked offstage to stand next to MJ’s casket. He touched it gently and started to cry at the end. He was wearing sunglasses so you couldn’t see much though.

- They then played a clip from MJ’s performance on The Ed Sullivan show with The Jackson Five

- Smokey Robinson came on and joked “I wrote that song, I thought I sang it….
“Two later, here comes this little kid, he’s ten years old…. I could not believe that someone that young could have that much feeling and soul… You have to know something to sing a song like that.

“I never thought I would be here today. That’s my little brother over there…

“When I have concerts I sing “Who’s loving you”…. young kids come up to me and say ‘Hey you’re singing Michael Jackson’s songs.”

- Shaheen Jafargholi from Britain’s Got Talent sang “Who’s Loving You”

- Kenny Ortega, the choreographer for Michael’s comeback concerts, said that Shaheen was invited to sing with MJ for his 02 shows

“We were here a little less than a week ago and Michael was with us…
“We were all here and we were a family and this was our house…
“When the Jackson family invited us to do a memorial we knew we had to do it here…
“Michael and I were here and we were in the final stages of mounting what… I promise you was his triumphant return.

“Musical and Magical, this is for him, his living legacy. His care, his concern… for the planet.

“Michael, we love you.”

- Michael’s backup singers and dancers then sang “We Are The World” and the family and all the speakers joined them on stage.

[Roughly transcribed from Michael Jackson's memorial, aired 7/7/09]

I thought hat was the end and I was thinking “where were the people who really knew Michael?” It turns out they were too choked up to speak, and when they did talk about what he meant to them it broke my heart.

- Jermaine Jackson: “I would like to thank everyone for coming out. I am lost for words. I was his voice, and his backbone, so was the family… we thank you, we thank you very much.”

- Marlin Jackson: “I’m hurt. I stand here trying to find words of comfort, solace, trying to understand why the lord has taken our brother to return home after such a sort time. Michael when you left us, part of me left… a part of you will live forever in all of us. Michael I will treasure the good times, singing, loving, laughing.”

He told a story about Michael dressing up like an old dude trying to buy CDs.

“We will never, ever understand what he endured, not being able to walk across the street without a crowd… being judged, ridiculed. How much pain can one man take?
Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone… Michael I love you.”

He said he had one request, “Give our brother, my twin brother Brandon, a hug for me.”

Paris, Michael’s daughter, then came on crying and said “I just want to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could every imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

Then the family carried the casket off stage.

[Roughly transcribed from Michael Jackson's memorial, aired 7/7/09]

I remember Princess Diana’s funeral vividly, and I will remember watching Michael Jackson’s funeral for decades. I just wish we knew more about this enigmatic man and that we could have somehow reached out to him when he was alive. People cherished him and will enjoy his music for generations to come. RIP Michael, you will never be forgotten.

Photo Credit: WENN.com