Michael Jackson will not be buried in Neverland

Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch is located in Santa Barbara, California (photo source unknown).

The King of Pop will not be buried at his Neverland ranch due to legal issues, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Jackson’s family initially wanted him interred at the Santa Barbara County estate, the site of some of the happiest and saddest times in his life, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had agreed to help clear any state bureaucratic hurdles, LA Times reported citing a source close to the matter.

But county officials could not find a way to quickly circumvent legal restrictions governing burial at a private residence, the source said.

California's health and safety code makes interring any uncremated remains outside of a cemetery a misdemeanor; cremated remains can be kept in a home or private mausoleum outside a cemetery, AP reported.

UPDATE: The family released the following statement after the publication of this blog post:

"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."

Law enforcement officials also had expressed concerns about thousands of cars driving up a narrow mountain road to Neverland.

Santa Barbara County sheriff's Lt. Butch Arnoldi said that the two-lane Figueroa Mountain Road is not designed for a crush of cars and that his department is discussing how to make the route to Neverland as safe as possible, the LA Times reported.

There have been reports the memorial might be held at Staples Center, according to the report.

Santa Barbara County spokesman William Boyer said Wednesday that despite meetings to prepare for the possibility of a memorial service, county officials had not heard from the Jackson family. "There's been no decisions that have been made as of last night," he said.

Meanwhile, heavy construction equipment and workers were seen entering Neverland Tuesday, and broadcast news vans continued to line up the road leading to the gates, AP and CNN reported.

More than a dozen vehicles, including a tractor, a cement mixer and a backhoe, along with groups of gardeners and florists bearing huge wreaths, were spotted in the 2,500-acre property some 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles, AP reported.

Sources: BNO, Los Angeles Times, AP, TMZ
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