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Dozens of Jackson fans flocked to the Neverland Ranch Tuesday night to see if his body would be brought there.
"This is the house that Michael loved the most," said Jackson fan Lisa Matson. "This is where he dwelled. Michael would want to be buried here. It just makes sense."
Jackson's gold casket was last seen at the Staples Center memorial service Tuesday. As of Tuesday night, the casket was kept at a secret location.
A burial permit was filed in Los Angeles County by the family, but Tuesday, the Los Angeles police said Jackson's body would not be brought back to Forest Lawn Mortuary as expected.
Jermaine Jackson recently has been vocal about burying his brother at Neverland Ranch and making the property similar to Elvis Presley's Graceland.
Last week, several construction trucks were seen being brought onto the ranch.
"I think it should be here [at the ranch]," said Jackson fan Israel Hernandez. "There's talk about maybe he's going to be cremated and put here, because he can't be buried here, but I think it would be really cool if he was cremated and put here."
Michael Jackson's casket was brought inside Staples Center, where thousands gathered to say their final goodbye to the King of Pop.
Among the most heartfelt goodbyes came from Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris. In tears, she said Michael was the best father she could ever imagine. But before Paris buried her head in her family's arms to be swept off stage, she said, "I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Jackson fans came from near and far to say their last goodbyes to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. and Europe.
An estimated 19,500 people filed smoothly into the Staples Center as Jackson's golden, flower-draped casket was brought to the venue in a motorcade under law enforcement escort. The crowd was hushed as the singer's brothers placed his casket at the front of the stage to the sounds of a gospel choir.
The service began with Smokey Robinson reading comments from Nelson Mandela, Diana Ross and other friends of the King of Pop. Following a long moment of silence inside the venue, piano music and a gospel choir kicked things off with a stained-glass motif in the background.
/*Mariah Carey*/ sang a rendition of the Jackson 5's ballad "I'll Be There," accompanied by Trey Lorenz.
/*Lionel Richie*/, a longtime friend of Jackson, performed the gospel classic "Jesus is Love." Soon after the giant video screen lit up with highlights from Jackson's extraordinary career.
/*Stevie Wonder*/, who knew Jackson since the singer was a child, voiced what many in the crowd were no doubt feeling.
"This is a moment that I wished that I didn't live to see come," Wonder said before performing "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer."
The service included other artists who inspired Jackson throughout his life and those he influenced, including Kobe Bryant, Andrae Crouch Choir, Berry Gordy, /*Jennifer Hudson*/, /*Magic Johnson*/, Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, /*John Mayer*/, Rev. Al Sharpton, /*Brooke Shields*/, /*Usher*/, Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi and family friends Ron Boyd and Pastor Lucious Smith.
Many of Jackson's friends reflected on his life and shared their own memories of the entertainer.
"He was caring and funny, honest, pure, non-jaded, and he was a lover of life," said Brooke Shields. "Today, although are hearts are aching, we need to look up where he is undoubtedly perched in a crescent moon and we need to smile."
Motown Records founder /*Berry Gordy*/ talked about the child prodigy he signed at age 10.
"The more I think and talk about Michael Jackson I feel the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived," Gordy said, drawing a standing ovation.
Oscar nominee Queen Latifah read a poem about Jackson written by /*Maya Angelou*/, called "We Had Him."
Jackson's brother, Jermaine, performed "Smile," a 1936 tune believed to be one of Michael Jackson's favorite songs. In tribute to the singer, the Jackson brothers each wore a single sequined glove.
The ceremony ended with a performance of "We Are the World." All of the event's performers then joined Jackson's family on stage for a performance of his song "Heal the World."
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There were tears, cheers, standing ovations and lots of applause inside the arena. Fans said they were truly appreciative for what they were able to experience with the memorial. Many were still in tears as they walked out of the service, moved by the words and emotions of Jackson's family and friends.
"I've been crying through the whole ceremony," said fan Makeeta Burke. "It was very beautiful. Everyone spoke great of Michael."
"It was hard for me to not cry. He's such an inspiration to me," said fan Amy Thompson.
Fans who attended the service say they felt the love in the arena for Jackson and the love of his children. Paris' short but emotional comments captivated the audience in Staples Center.
"It was the love, I think at the very end when little Paris came up to say what a good dad he was and how much she loved him, that was really hard. I was thinking about my own kids," said fan Alice Thompson.
"I think his daughter made everyone just cry," said Martha Jauregui. "You know she, she was very sincere about how her father was a great father, and I'm sure he was because he was a great man."
Over the years, there have been questions about whether Jackson is the children's biological father and whether his sometimes bizarre behavior was harmful to the kids. But Rev. Sharpton was determined to put any speculation to rest at the memorial.
"I want his three children to know there wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it," said Sharpton.
People lined up early Tuesday to get into Staples Center. Security was tight and fans could only get in through several entry points where police checked their wristbands and tickets.
The LAPD had officers posted throughout the area to make sure no paparazzi or fans tried to crash the event.
Before the public memorial, the Jackson family gathered at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills at about 8 a.m. for a private ceremony. The Jackson family left their Encino estate for the private ceremony between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.
After the service, Jackson's casket was placed in a hearse for the drive to Staples Center. A motorcade of about 20 vehicles took off from Forest Lawn just before 10 a.m. The hearse led the way as Jackson's family members and several police officers followed in the cars behind.
There's no word on where Jackson will be buried. Earlier reports suggested the singer would be laid to rest at Forest Lawn, but L.A. police say Jackson's body will not be returning to the cemetery.
After the public ceremony at Staples Center, Jackson's family and friends held a private gathering at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills.
As fans and Jackson's family said goodbye to the King of Pop, details are emerging about Jackson's alleged use of Diprivan and other possible painkillers.
ABC News has learned that both of the singer's arms were scarred with track marks that are consistent with the finding of the powerful sedative in his home.
Jackson's death certificate was issued Tuesday without a listed cause of death and a coroner said investigators are still testing the singer's brain. The cause of death is listed as "deferred."
It has been a tumultuous time for the family, especially for Michael's mother, Katherine. A superior court judge upheld the wishes expressed by the pop icon in a 2002 will, which named attorney and friend John Branca, as well as music executive John McClain as executors.
The will transfers Jackson's estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. There are reports that 40 percent of Jackson's assets will go to his children, 40 percent will go to his mother and the remaining 20 percent will go to charities working with children. Attorneys will be in charge of paying off vast debts and maximizing his investments.
After the debts, Jackson's estate is reportedly worth between $500 million to $1 billion.
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