Speakers at the event – which was closed to public and TV cameras – included civil rights leader the Rev Al Sharpton, while soul singer Gladys Knight performed.
In contrast to the star-studded public memorial event at LA’s Staples Centre, the funeral was a private affair.
The Jackson family did allow a live video feed of guests arriving, but it was cut as a hearse carrying Jackson’s body arrived. An airborne camera provided by LA broadcaster KTLA, however, continued to run. It showed a coffin covered in white flowers taken to the front of the congregation.
Around 200 guests were thought to have been invited, with fans and media kept away by a heavy security presence. Among those in attendance were actor Macaulay Culkin and Jackson’s former wife Lisa Marie Presley.
The ceremony was due to have commenced at 7pm local time but was delayed by the late arrival of the bulk of the Jackson family.
Jackson’s mother Katherine and the singer’s siblings and his three children – Prince Michael, 12, Paris Michael Katherine, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II – arrived shortly after 8pm. They met the King of Pop’s father Joe Jackson there.
The programmes contained pictures of the singer and opened with words taken from his book Dancing The Dream: “If you enter the world knowing you are loved and leave the world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”
press association
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