Only 8,750 of the 1.6 million fans who have registered for tomorrow's service will be allotted tickets by lottery
Only 8,750 of the 1.6 million fans who have registered for tomorrow's service will be allotted tickets by lottery
The more than 1.6 million fans who registered to attend Michael Jackson's memorial service are waiting to learn whether they were among the lucky few to win tickets for tomorrow's ceremony.
Fans registered for free at the Staples Center website for the random drawing of only 8,750 names.
Each person selected will receive two tickets and will be notified by e-mail by today, according to a Staples Center news release.
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The odds of getting a ticket are about 1 in 183.
Jackson (50) died on June 25 after going into cardiac arrest in his mansion. Autopsy results are not expected for several weeks.
Jackson's family was planning a private ceremony at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.
More than a week after his death, tributes and accolades keep flowing. Madonna had a Jackson impersonator dance to Wanna Be Starting Something at her concert on Saturday in the same London arena where he was to stage his comeback.
Powell's tribute
Colin Powell said in an interview that Jackson had controversy in his life, but in death his art should be celebrated.
"Yes, there were some challenges in his life," Powell told CNN. "There was a great deal of controversy about him. But he's now passed on. Let's celebrate his art."
700,000 expected
City officials are preparing for huge crowds. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says as many as 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to people without tickets.
BURIED WITHOUT A BRAIN
Michael Jackson's body is to be buried without his brain, which will be held behind for drug testing.
LA Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey told the Sunday Mirror that neuropathology tests will be performed on Jackson's brain for research over his death.
The brain must be out of the body for at least 10 days before testing, and analysis can take up to 18 days, therefore will not be able to be buried alongside his body.
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