Jackson funeral: fans in for free

In mourning ... hundreds of thousands of Jackson fans could want to farewell their idol / AP

MICHAEL Jackson`s family has confirmed a memorial service for the late pop icon will take place on Wednesday at the Staples Centre arena in Los Angeles.

About 11,000 tickets will be distributed free of charge for the event, the family said through a public relations company engaged to handle the event.

It said the memorial service would take place at 10am LA time on Tuesday (3am Wednesday AEST).

Jackson`s likely final resting place was not immediately clear.  

Reports said Jackson would be buried at a mortuary in the Hollywood Hills, but they were from the same site as this report citing unidentified sources which said fans were going to be charged $US25 ($30) to enter the arena for the memorial.

T-shirts for Jackson`s planned This Is It tour would be sold outside the stadium to people entering the service, the site reported.  Profiteers could still be expected on the day, even with the memorial being free to enter. 

Based on the constant outpouring of grief and procession of fans visiting Jackson-related sites in the week since his death, hundreds of thousands of people could be expected to want to be part of their idol`s farewell.

Yesterday, the Jacksons issued a statement ruling out the possibility of a poignant final farewell at the singer`s Neverland Ranch.

"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," it said.

Local laws were originally cited as the main barrier to Jackson`s burial at his former ranch, but county officials said approval would have been rushed through if an application had been made.

Rehearsal video

Meanwhile, footage of Jackson taken two days before his death emerged, showing him rehearsing a vigorous routine, which appeared to refute suggestions the star was in ill health during his final days.

Concert promoters AEG Live said the footage was recorded on June 23 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles as Jackson prepared for a 50-date tour in London starting in July.

Jackson, while thin, is seen dancing with energy in a tightly choreographed sequence with a group of performers. Jackson sings on a headset and at one point pushes back his jacket to reveal his red shirt underneath.

In less than two minutes of footage, the singer switches sharply in styles in an intricate medley of some of his hits.