As 'This Is It' premieres, Michael Jackson rests in the 'Neverland' cemetery of peace

October 27, 11:17 AMCelebrity Travel ExaminerTrina Yannicos

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Michael Jackson dressed as a King in a 1995 oil painting by Norman Oak

AP photo

The much-anticipated release of Michael Jackson's concert rehearsal film called THIS IS IT will hold its world gala film premiere tonight, October 27, in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. With its two-week limited engagement, the movie is expected to cement Jackson's legacy as the true "King of Pop." As Elizabeth Taylor remarked about her friend after seeing THIS IS IT, "I saw genius in my lifetime."

While Michael Jackson will not be able to see this resurgence in his popularity, he rests in peace in a cemetery fit for a king. The Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California is a beautiful area of land in Los Angeles with rolling hills and huge trees where many of Hollywood's greatest stars are buried. The serenity found in these burial grounds is reminiscent of the calmness and beauty Jackson created at his famous Neverland ranch.

While Jackson would decorate his Neverland home with famous works of art and decorations fit for royalty, Forest Lawn in Glendale evokes a similar theme. The great works of Michelangelo are recreated here in life-size form. The statue of David located outside in the Court of David and La Pieta located in the Great Mausoleum are just a sample of the European art reproductions on display here.

Michael Jackson was laid to rest in a crypt located in the Great Mausoleum. Most sections of the building where famous people lie, including Michael Jackson, are roped off from the general public. Photos are prohibited inside any buildings at Forest Lawn, while pictures outside are permitted only for non-commercial use.

The most stunning work of art at Forest Lawn in Glendale is a stained glass reproduction of Michelangelo's Last Supper painting. This reproduction took 5 years to create by a stained glass artist in Perugia, Italy and was installed at Forest Lawn in 1930. It does a great service by keeping this famous work of Michelangelo alive, since the original painting has deteriorated over time. The 15 by 30 foot piece of art is unveiled every half hour from 9 to 4 pm in the Great Mausoleum. The unveiling includes a 15-minute presentation of the history of this reproduction and a brief analysis of the religious figures depicted in the painting.

Forest Lawn in Glendale is a truly massive cemetery and can be quite confusing for visitors trying to find their way around to the multiple sections of the grounds. Maps are available at the Forest Lawn art museum which houses a permanent collection of historical American paintings, stained glass, western bronzes and cultural artifacts.

While fans are left with no official place to mourn Michael Jackson, a trip to the Forest Lawn cemetery can offer comfort in knowing that the King of Pop is buried in a place fit for kings.

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