Michael Jackson will publicly “lie in state” at his Neverland ranch in an ornate, gold-colored coffin wearing one of his trademark drum-major costumes and a single white glove, sources close to the family said yesterday.
Extravagant funeral plans for the singer include his body being transported from the Jackson family compound under ultra-tight security and an escort by the California Highway Police tomorrow to his beloved former home, a source said.
Once at the gates of the sprawling, fantasyland residence, his coffin will be transported to a white, horse-drawn carriage and brought inside.
His body will be displayed in an open casket for thousands of mourning fans to walk by Friday.
The casket will be roped off, but those paying their respects will get to glimpse their fallen star dressed as they remember him best.
One possible outfit consists of the gold-glittered jacket he donned during his HIStory Tour in 1997. The other involves a more prim, white jacket he wore onstage when his sister Janet presented him the Legends trophy at the American Music Awards in 1993.
Either way, he also will wear his trademark black armband, black pants, black shoes and white socks.
A star-studded funeral will then be held Sunday.
But some major details still have to be worked out amid bickering among relatives and close pals, sources said.
The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are battling over who will officiate and deliver the eulogy, one source said.
“There is chaos and confusion surrounding this whole thing,” said family confidante Stacy Brown.