Neverland burial without a permit is illegal
It is illegal to bury Michael Jackson at Neverland Valley Ranch without a residential exemption permit and only ranches with grandfathered personal cemeteries could be approved for a permit. It is now clear Michael Jackson will not be buried at Neverland contrary to previous news reports by the media. It was hoped a public viewing of Jackson’s body could take place at Neverland.
The singer’s family, wanted a funeral at Jackson’s former home north of Santa Barbara and was not able to obtain a residential exemption required for a burial on private property. Colony Capital, the investment company that purchased Neverland in May 2008, tried to get an exemption for burial. “They couldn’t get it in time,” a Colony spokesperson says.
The Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland, this statement was released by the family’s public relations firm.
The family has now ruled out the possibility of burying the pop star at his Neverland Valley Ranch. Officials were unable to clear the way for the burial, according to reports due to time restrictions and red tape associated with a burial at the property.
Santa Barbara County communications director William Boyer told news agency AFP that authorities had never received any communication from the Jackson family regarding the funeral. “We would love to be able to talk directly with the Jackson family or their representatives,” Boyer said. “We’ve been trying to reach them directly. We’ve had no formal contact at all. There’s been no requests.”
The state’s health and safety rules makes burying remains outside a cemetery illegal and has been classed as a misdemeanour offence. Authorities also have claimed a special events permit would have be required if the family intended to hold public viewings of Michael’s remains at Neverland. Don Loper, director for the Loper Funeral Chapel in nearby Ballard, had a succinct answer to the question. “No,” said Loper, explaining that, legally, only ranches with grandfathered personal cemeteries may be used to bury remains. Of course, ashes could be scattered anywhere.
It is feared these rules could easily destroy chances of turning Neverland into a Graceland-like shrine to Michael Jackson for his legions of fans. As the Jackson family are now barred from burying Michael at the ranch. A private memorial service could take place there, most likely after the funeral which is now likely to occour in LA.
Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson.
