Michael Jackson to be buried on birthday

Aug 18, 2009, 9:20 GMT

Michael Jackson will be buried on his birthday.

The late star's father Joe Jackson claims Michael - who died on June 25 following a suspected cardiac arrest - will finally be laid to rest on August 29, which would have been his 51st birthday.

Joe revealed the service will take place at 10am at Los Angeles' Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

The 80-year-old music executive, who had a difficult relationship with the singer following claims he mistreated Michael as a child, will attend the ceremony next weekend before heading to Las Vegas to pay tribute to his son.

The New York Daily News newspaper reveals: "The elder Jackson says he will return to Vegas after his son is buried that Saturday to receive a celebrity star in the singer's honour at the Brenden Theatres, a cinema at the Palms that Michael Jackson and his children frequented. The Brenden will also screen the 1988 film 'Moonwalker' that day."

Joe said the decision had been made in the past few days.

Earlier this month, it was revealed the Jackson family was planning to buy a private garden at the Los Angeles memorial park so they can all be laid to rest at the same place.

A source said: "They are waiting to work out the details on buying plots for the whole family before they lay Michael to rest."

Since his death, Michael's parents have reportedly kept his body in a "secret freezer", allowing them to visit him in private while they decide how to bury him.

The 'Thriller' singer's mother, Katherine Jackson has visited the body several times since it was moved to the unknown location and often stays by the gold casket until she is shaking with cold.

Meanwhile, Joe claimed he tried to spend time with the pop superstar in the months leading up to his death, but says "the security guards wouldn't let me get to him".