Michael Jackson Loved More Dead Than Alive?

REUTERS

We've finally made it to the day of Michael Jackson's private funeral (as private as it could get, anyway, for a colossal megastar such as him) and his world-watched memorial at Staples Center. Which, turns out, was an even more coveted ticket than any one of his London concert gigs.

The world's interest in, and affection for, M.J. has astronomically grown since his passing, and a huge shift in the public perception of this eccentric figure can't go unquestioned.

Has anyone else noticed the sudden idolatry now that Jackson is dead? Why do some fans, journalists and music insiders who were so quick to criticize him when he was alive, seem that much more comfortable praising Jackson now that he's gone?

In the last few years, all we heard anyone talk about when mentioning Jackson was his increasingly bizarre life—his overwhelming debt, his eccentric public behavior, his endless facial contortions and mostly, his problematic relationships with children.

Now that he can't shock people anymore, the public's completely comfortable with Michael Jackson again. He's no longer the peculiar punch line to every little-kid-loving joke and a No. 1-selling Halloween mask. Now people prefer to paint Jackson as a perfect, legendary angel. Mention his name today and you'll be slapped if you consider him anything but a musical genius. We know—we tried!

We think M.J. should be remembered infinitely as an incredibly talented performer and musician, that's indisputable. Just have to raise the question to you all if you have noticed how people are choosing to remember Michael—as how they want to remember him rather than how he really was at the time.

Don't kill us for raising the question, we're genuinely curious. And to play Devil's Advocate, we see both sides. Just want to hear from you all if you notice the switch, too.

Where Will Michael Be Buried?

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Neverland? Nevermind that, for now. But where exactly will Michael Jackson's remains wind up?

Following Tuesday's all-star tribute, Jackson's shiny, flower-adorned casket was wheeled out of Los Angeles' Staples Center.

While the family relocated to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private wake, sources say the coffin was transferred to an ambulance, which was accompanined by a Hummer and destined for...

Well, we're not exactly sure, but we have some ideas.

Although Los Angeles police said there wouldn't be a family motorcade back to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where the Jacksons held a private funeral service earlier Tuesday, family friend and unofficial spokesman Majestik Magnificent told E! News that Michael's body was returning to the famous burial grounds, and the cemetery had ordered all press to clear out.

Indeed, E! News has obtained a copy of Jackson's death certificate listing Forest Lawn as the mortuary. (Just because Forest Lawn is named, doesn't mean he will be buried there—just that his body had been held there after his death.)

The death certificate, signed by sister La Toya, is dated Tuesday and was filed by a deputy coroner. The cause of death is noted as "deferred." A burial permit was also filed with the Los Angeles Ccounty's Vital Records department, but that document has not been made public.

Because the burial permit was filed in Los Angeles County and not Santa Barbara, the chances of a Neverland burial are dwindling, despite brother Jermaine's stated preference for the sprawling ranch as Michael's final resting spot.

"We have not been contacted by the Jackson family or any of their representatives about a burial or a funeral service at the Neverland Ranch," William Boyer, communications director for Santa Barbara County, tells E! News.

"Because this would be on private property they would actually have to go to the state department of consumer affairs. We would know about it because part of the permitting process is the state goes through a checklist of things they would need to do...local jurisdiction would have to be asked. We have not received any contact from the state."

Dan Redmond, spokesman for the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, concurrred, saying the family would have to get a "certificate of authority" from the bureau and "that has not happened."

Another reason the Jacksons may prefer Forest Lawn: Michael's maternal grandmother, Martha Bridges, is buried there.

Michael Jackson