Michael Jackson’s father has said his family will wait for the results of a second post-mortem before finalising plans for the pop star’s funeral.
Joe Jackson told reporters in Los Angeles the ceremony would have “some private” elements but “not [be] closed down all the way to the public”.
US media reported that there could be a public memorial event at Neverland.
The results of a first post-mortem will not be released for several weeks while toxicology tests are concluded.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said there was no evidence of foul play after an autopsy on Friday, but gave no cause of death.
At the BET Awards ceremony on Sunday, Mr Jackson said he had “a lot of concerns” about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
US media reported that relatives were considering returning the body to Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in central California, about 150 miles (240 km) from Los Angeles, where is would lie in state.
California Highway Patrol officials were planning for any delays if a procession did travel there, but said they had received no formal information from the Jackson family.
On Tuesday, an all-day tribute was held for the singer at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, where Michael performed with the Jackson 5 as a child.
Family friend Al Sharpton told fans: “He’s bad, he’s our brother, he’s our friend.”
“Let’s love Michael today, let’s love Michael today, let’s love Michael today!”
As thousands queued outside, about 600 fans at a time were entering the venue to listen to Jackson’s music, watch a video tribute and leave flowers and memorabilia.
Photographs
Meanwhile, pictures of the pop star’s final rehearsal before he died have been released by concert promoter AEG Live.
Photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured Jackson’s image several times in the 1980s, told the BBC: “He was happy, he was energetic, he was full of life.”
“I had such an adrenaline rush, it was like the first time I photographed him, when he moonwalked.”
According to the legal papers filed on behalf of the family, Jackson died without a valid will.
But The Wall Street Journal reported that a will was drafted by the singer in 2002, which divided his estate between his mother, children and a number of charities.
Jackson left three children - Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II.
On Monday, Jackson’s mother Katherine was granted temporary guardianship of the children, pending a further hearing on 3 August to determine whether she will be granted permanent custody.
The singer’s financial affairs have been the subject of much speculation.
According to documents obtained by the Associated Press news agency, Michael Jackson claimed to have a net worth of $236m (£143m) as of 31 March 2007.
The papers said he had $567.6m (£345m) in assets, including his Neverland Ranch, his share of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalogue that includes rights to the Beatles’ songs, plus various cars, antiques and collectibles, AP reported.
BBC Entertainment June 30th 2009
