Iconic Funerals - Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

On June 25th 2009, the world stood still as news spread that Michael Jackson had died after a suffering cardiac arrest at his LA mansion.

Internet search engine, Google, shut down as it interpreted the sheer volume of searches for "Michael Jackson" as an automated attack; and, within a few hours of the news breaking, the King of Pop was back on top of the charts thanks to radio airplay and downloads.

Michael Jackson was one of the most commercially successful artists of all time. A double-inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his other achievements feature multiple Guinness World Records - including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time", 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles, and the sale of over 750 million records.

Michael's career began in 1964 as the youngest member of the Jackson 5. Enduring a difficult and lonely childhood growing up in the public eye, and suffering beatings at the hands of his father, a teenage Michael launched his solo career in 1971.

In 1982, Michael released "Thriller", the biggest-selling album of all time, with 110 million copies sold worldwide. It stayed in the top 10 for 80 consecutive weeks, with 37 at Number 1, and the accompanying music video pioneered a new direction for the music industry.

Michael Jackson was an inspiring showman. His halftime act at Super Bowl XXVII attracted more viewers than the Superbowl itself, and he constantly strived to upstage himself by incorporating stunts such as the infamous 'moonwalk' and flying via rocket pack to ensure every show was better than the last.

But despite his musical success, Michael battled very public demons in his private life.

Media speculation arose over his frequently changing appearance, most notably the surgery to his nose and alleged bleaching of the skin. Yet it transpired that Michael suffered from vitiligo and lupus, which lightened his skin and caused sensitivity to sunlight.

Michael married twice; first to Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, then to Debbie Rowe, the mother of his eldest two children. His third child, whom Michael dangled from his hotel balcony, was born from a surrogate, fuelling the tabloids to record other strange behaviour, such as buying a pet chimpanzee and sleeping in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

But 'Wacko Jacko' was in the media spotlight for far more serious and sinister reasons in 1993 and 2003, when he was accused of child sexual abuse at his Neverland Ranch.

Michael said that the 25-minute strip search he endured to prove his innocence was one of the most humiliating ordeals of his life, from which he never fully recovered. He began taking painkillers and sedatives to ease the panic attacks he suffered as a result of the allegations, and his health deteriorated.

During the investigations, mental health professional Dr. Stan Katz said Michael; who claimed, 'I am Peter Pan'; was a regressed 10-year-old, and did not fit the profile of a pedophile.

Having disappeared from the public eye until March 2009, Michael announced his final ten shows at London's O2 Arena. However, demand forced the residency to be extended to fifty nights, to commence on July 13th 2009.

Much speculation has arisen over the star's physical health for such a mammoth tour, and whether this was to blame for the cardiac arrest, although rumours are rife of murder, overdose and still being alive. Only time will tell.

Michael Jackson's private funeral service was held on July 7th 2009 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty, followed by a public memorial at LA's Staples Center, where the 'Artist of the Decade (1980's)' had been rehearsing, which was watched by over 30million people.

Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Jermaine Jackson sang tributes, Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson gave eulogies, while Reverend Al Sharpton received a standing ovation when he told Jackson's children, "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."

Mourners remembered Michael for his talents, success, generosity and attempts to 'Heal the World' through launching the Heal the World Foundation and further charity work. In 2000, he broke the Guinness World Record for his support of 39 charities (more than any other entertainer or personality), to which he donated millions.

Michael's 11-year-old daughter, Paris, cried as she told the crowd, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine."

Marlon Jackson spoke of his brother's troubles, stating, "we will never, never, understand what he endured. Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed. How much pain can one take? Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."

With origins dating back to 1853, E.F. Box are one of the oldest funeral directors within the UK. They offer a range of funeral services across a variety of faiths, beliefs and ways of celebrating life.

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