Memorial events likely to unite his one billion fansPop legend Michael Jackson's body could be displayed in a glass coffin to allow fans from across the world to say their final goodbyes to the late superstar.
The 50-year-old singer's family is discussing the possibility of placing his body in a see-through casket to allow his fans to say their goodbyes following his death last Thursday (June 25), reports contactmusic.com.
The idea has reportedly split his siblings and parents because his mother Katherine and father Joe are devout Jehovah's witnesses and according to the faith, it is important to bury bodies quickly after death.
"The idea is causing internal stress within the family. The glass casket idea would create so much public interest it would take time to organise. People would make the pilgrimage from the other side of the world. The question that keeps coming back is, 'What would Michael have wanted?'," said a source close to the family.
The family, on the other hand, are reportedly hoping to hold a global funeral celebration for one billion of the singer's fans.
Dozens of memorial events will be held in cities across the globe at the same time to allow everyone to unite for a universal celebration of his life.
A senior Los Angeles Police chief said: "We are preparing for an event of historic proportions. We will be co-operating closely with the family once they have decided where to hold the funeral."
His father Joe Jackson has however announced that the King of Pop's funeral will not be held until the results of the second autopsy are released, as he suspects "foul play" in his son's death.
According to other reports, Jackson’s body will return to his former Neverland Ranch estate in Santa Barbara, California for a public viewing on Friday (July 3).
Jackson bought the estate in 1987 and turned it into an amusement park. He moved out of the mansion in 2005 after local authorities swept through his private sanctuary looking for evidence to use against the singer in his child molestation case.
Following his acquittal, he insisted he'd never return to live at Neverland, but he retained a stake in the property up to his death.
Though funeral details are yet to be announced, a private memorial service is scheduled for Sunday (July 5) according to CNN.
Rudy Clay, the Mayor of the singer's hometown of Gary, Indiana, has publicly asked the Jackson family to consider burying or cremating the pop star in his birthplace.
Clay has told Chicago radio station WGN that he expects Jackson's body will be taken to Gary for a memorial service at Steel Works ball park he is planning for next week.
He says, "I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana."
Clay's spokeswoman Lalola Burns tells CNN, "The Mayor had spoken with a contact of the Jackson family and expressed our interest in having that to be a part of the history of this great family (sic)."
Jackson's father, Joe, returned to Gary in 2008 to discuss plans for a Jackson museum with the Mayor.