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Jacksons had private open casket viewing night before memorial service
Posted in Michael Jackson on the July 10, 2009
The Jackson family held a private viewing of the pop star’s body, according to a new report.
Close family members of Michael Jackson had an open casket viewing of his body at the Forest Lawn site in Hollywood Hills on the night before the public memorial service held at the Staples Center.
A cousin, David Fossett, 50, told People.com: “He looked like himself. He looked like he just was laying there sleeping. He looked peaceful.”
The family, apart from parents Katherine and Joe who were not present, reportedly talked and cried around the casket.
After the viewing, the group retired to the Jackson family compound in Encino where Jacko’s three children have also been staying since his death
Fossett, a native of Gary, Indiana, Jackson’s hometown, said, “It was a somber mood. Even though he’s this big entertainer, he’s still our family.”
He said he recited some memories of Jackson and that he and others stayed overnight at the Encino home.
On Tuesday, the family had a quick breakfast before travelling in a convoy of their cars to a short private service where the casket was closed and covered in red flowers.
Some 70 Jackson relatives gathered for the short service at Forest Lawn as another cousin, Wendell Hawkins, performed a Jehovah’s Witness service.
