Michael Jackson’s gift, funeral, headstone, and cemetery celebration
November 28, 2009
“Music has been my outlet,” “My gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever.” -Michael Jackson, Ebony Magazine, December 2007
A life of mystery, stardom and controversy. Amazing talent, unusual choices, and fortunes gained and lost. And perhaps most notable, a life of love for his children. Michael Jackson. Rarely does a name elicit such a mixture of opinions and emotions. To fans around the world Michael Jackson was a star, revered for his musical and dancing abilities. Despite his desire for privacy, his was a very public life. Tabloid journalism swirled around his every move. Yet, while parts of his life were often treated as a public circus, his death and memorial somehow brought millions of people together in a remarkable public display of dignity and respect. What happened in the days after Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009 is an interesting study in memorialization. A short private funeral at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California gave Jackson’s family some time for private mourning early in the day of July 7th. The cavalcade then made its way to the Michael Jackson tribute, the first of many public events. Tickets were made available by lottery for the 17,500 seats inside the Staples Centre in Los Angeles; and a crowd of about 5,000 guests, along with thousands of journalists, camera operators and photographers gathered outside. Millions of people around the world watched the televised broadcast. Guests were handed a scrapbook of Jackson photos as they entered the Staples Centre. The 90-minute musical extravaganza included much symbolism. Michael’s brothers – once performers together in the Jackson Five – acted as pallbearers. Each of them wore a single white sequined glove, a look that their sibling had introduced earlier in his career. The opulent bronze casket with 14-karat gold plate handles, and velvet-lined interior was covered in flowers and carried into the venue to the choir singing “Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King.” The stage was arranged to resemble a church sanctuary complete with a stained-glass backdrop. At the back of the stage images of Michael were displayed on giant screens. The Jackson family, including Michael’s three children, played a visible role. His brother Jermaine performed Michael’s favourite song, Smile. Later in the program his entire family joined the other performers on stage for the singing of two of Michael’s most well-known songs – We Are the World and Heal the World. The list of family guests and performers was to be expected at a memorial tribute to someone whose life was spent on stage and in the public eye. Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Smokie Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Kobe Bryant, civil rights leader, the Reverend Al Sharton, Queen Latifah, Brooke Shields, John Mayer, Motown head, Berry Gordy, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Magic Johnson and Britain’s Got Talent winner, 12-year old Shaheen Jafargholi came to say or sing their
goodbyes to Michael.
On September 3rd, family and close friends of Jackson gathered at Forest Lawn Cemetery for an interment ceremony. His brothers again served as pallbearers and his three children laid a crown on the casket, symbolic of the King of Pop. Motown legend Gladys Knight and songwriter Clifton Davis provided music for the ceremony. Several eulogies were offered, including one by Michael’s father, Joe. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Jackson was laid to rest in the cemetery’s Great Mausoleum. That, however, was not the end of the memorialization of one of the most influential entertainers of all time. Fans in Detroit, where the Jackson Five first gained popularity, have erected a granite tombstone for Michael Jackson in Woodlawn Cemetery. The engraving on the tombstone reads:
Motown Remembers
the King of Pop Michael J. Jackson
Aug. 29, 1958 to June 25, 2009
Songwriter, Singer, Producer, Dancer, Choreographer,
Humanitarian, Jackson 5 Member, Soloist
13 #1 Singles, 13 Grammy’s, 197 Awards
& 37 Top 40 hits
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Motown Legend
Gone Too Soon
Across the Atlantic, a September tribute had been planned for Jackson in Vienna’s Schonbrunn Castle. Due to the desire of the Jackson family to have many music stars performing at this event
more advance planning was needed. The tribute will now be held in London, England sometime in 2010.
And in the US, 158 entries from Jackson fans were received in response to a global competition
to design a fitting memorial for him. The ideas submitted are as large as Michael’s life. Three of the entries propose the building of a new island near Dubai – in the shape of either a dancing Michael Jackson or his profile. He left us with a tremendous gift of music and dance. In return, the world continues to offer an ongoing memorial of respect and admiration for the King of Pop.
Pavarotti and a funeral Celebrated by Thousands
November 26, 2009
Pavarotti and a funeral Celebrated by Thousands
He toured the United States in 1965 encouraged by his soprano singing partner, Joan Sutherland. By the mid seventies he had become well known around the world, sought out for his beauty of tone and perfect pitch – especially in the upper register where his high C became one of his trademarks. In the 1990s his worldwide popularity was further strengthen when he teamed with popular tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras to perform as The Three Tenors. Pavarotti sold more than 100 million records during his career and held the distinction of producing the first classical album to reach the number one spot on the pop charts. He was a generous man, founding the Pavarotti and Friends annual charity concerts in his hometown of Modena, Italy where millions of dollars were earned for United Nations causes. He was invited to sing at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin – his last public performance. After his death, more than a hundred thousand mourners filed past the open white casket, paying their last respects to the tenor whose charisma and voice were celebrated around the world. The funeral attracted 50,000 people, the largest crowd at a commemorative function since the funeral for Pope John Paul II. Guests at his funeral included state and entertainment celebrities such as Italy’s Prime Minister and President; a former UN Secretary; U2’s Bono; tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras; and film director Franco Zeffirelli. At the funeral, inside Modena’s 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, this man who made his mark on the world was remembered as “a messenger of peace and fraternity,” by Prime Minister Romano Prodi. His white maple casket was covered in golden sunflowers, his favorite flowers. Outside, thousands of invited mourners watched the ceremony on large screens. Bulgarian-born soprano Raina Kabaivanska, a long-time friend and sometimes co-star, cried when she sang the Ave Maria from Verdi’s Otello. The Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Gluck’s Orfeo e Euridice was played by flautist Andrea Griminelli, and tenor Andrea Bocelli sang Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus. The most poignant part of the service was the playing of a 1978 recording of Pavarotti and his father singing “Panist Angelicus. To this, crowd responded with a last standing ovation for a man well-loved. Then Italy’s Air Force precision flying team flew over the cathedral, releasing red, white and green smoke in the colors of the Italian flag. The event was televised live on RAI, Italy’s state broadcaster. Pavarotti’s friend, Italian rock singer Zucchero wrote this message in a memorial book. “I hope St. Peter welcomes you with a chunk of parmesan and a bottle of Lambrusco, ice-cold as you like it.” With the public outpouring complete his family moved on to a private burial at the Montale Rangone cemetery, in the family’s tomb, next to his father Fernando, mother Adele and a stillborn son.
Granite Markers and a Tree Planting: A Symbolic Future
June 12, 2009
Granite Markers and Symbolic tree planting ceremonies are being part of many cultures around the world and will be for centuries. The planting of a sapling represents life, hope, growth and continuity such as a symbol graved on granite markers. Granite Markers and tree plantings have been used to mark special occasions, celebrations of life and lives well lived. Graduating classes, veterans, and even victims of a weather disaster have been recognized this way and this recognition is becoming more and more popular. Trees are often called living granite markers as they continue to grow and change over the years. A tree planting is also a beautiful reminder of loved ones who are no longer with us. Montana-Monuments are currently going to launch a tree program as a shared initiative with funeral homes and the community.
Many trees and granite markers will need to be planted. As part of the service each family that Montana Monuments serves will be offered a tree that will be planted along with granite markers. Families should be able to choose from many different trees, for example: aspen, poplar, spruce, dogwoods, wolf willows and Schubert and choke cherries native to the park areas. These permanent granite markers will list the names of all individuals remembered with a tree in each respected area, and individual tree with a granite marker are marked with a small tag. Every year dedication ceremonies can be planned for each location and can be attended by the community. The event can include thoughtful messages. This program allows a granite marker dealer to give back to the community by enhancing the growth of a community in any given area. At the same time it offers a special way to remember a loved one by planting a tree and establishing granite markers for our loved ones.
Montana-Monuments have many small granite markers along with large granite markers. All granite markers are on SPECIAL and have limited quantity. Click on the link beside this article and get the details along with a great price, remember Montana-Monuments have Lifetime “NO TIME LIMIT” Warranty on all granite markers with FREE DELIVERY!!!
Cemetery Memorial
June 10, 2009
A cemetery memorial is a flat memorial also known as grass marker or flush marker. A cemetery memorial is much easier to maintain than upright memorials and give the cemetery a cleaner exterior. A cemetery memorial can also come in any size and a variety of shapes. You will usually see a rectangular cemetery memorial due to most cemetery regulations. Montana-Monuments feature many granite cemetery memorial designs with unlimited promise. A cemetery memorial is like a flat print where an artist can engrave any kind of design into them. If you do not see the design essentials you want please contact us and we will design a marker that better suits your loved one. I will send you a quote for any give style or color for your cemetery memorial. All prices given are for my (cemetery memorial) most popular granite color, Sanstead Grey. Please call or drop a line if would like any color or style.
Headstone Quotes and Sayings
May 20, 2009
BUY IT NOW!! NEW!! NEW!! I have formulated a list of 8 different categories of headstones quotes and headstones sayings into one downloadable format FOR ONLY $5. BUY IT NOW!! Over 300 headstone quotes and headstones sayings into 8 categories such as:
1 - Famous People Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
2 - Most Popular Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
3 - Male Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
4 - Female Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
5 - Children Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
6 - Bible Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
7 - Calming Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
8 - Classic Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
It’s always uncomfortable picking that certain headstone quote or headstone saying in front of a monument dealer and you never have the right words. I have many people who ask and can’t find the correct saying or categories simply because they search and search and cannot find a source which has all categories in one. I have formulated a list of 8 different categories of headstones quotes and headstones sayings into one downloadable format FOR ONLY $5. Trying to find such a complete list is just about impossible and now for ONLY $5 you get an extensive list of over 300 headstone quotes and headstone sayings for only $5. Please click on BUY IT NOW and get directed to my store and take full advantage of a great savings for yourself.
Headstone quotes and sayings are uniquely personal to the departed as well as those who will visit and care for the family monument. Headstone quotes and sayings are important. An appropriate headstone quote and saying for yourself as part of your burial plan or for a loved one that has passed takes a little time but remembering that this headstone quote and saying will forever be tied to you or your loved one helps us to know how important it is to select the appropriate phrase to be read for years to come. At MyGravestonesOnline.com we completely customize your every quote or saying. MyGravestonesOnline.com has a group of professionals that will make your special gravestone with a perfect saying, quote or inscription. Our company and professionals have been customizing (giving ideas) gravestones for over 80 years, so we are very good at putting the customers’ thoughts into a saying or quote. By visiting MyGravestonesOnline.com you will see our large display of gravestones along with completely customizing your gravestone. There’s no need to rush, when your family’s ready we will be there every step of the way. As you read below, be sure to remember these epitaphs are only a small portion of the saying and quotes MyGravestonesOnline.com will provide to our customers.
Rest in Peace is a popular headstone quote and saying, it actually is a wish to the departed and family to have peace with the passing. So the first headstone quote and saying group you may want to consider is A Wish For The Deceased. Even if you are planning you own headstone quote and saying you should consider this because Let the Lord Surround You is popular. The subsequent group of headstone quotes and sayings that come to mind is Bible Verses. They may be a little harder to choose and make unique to the individual because they are so commonly used but considering one that is appropriate to you or the deceased is definitely an option. Word of Ease headstone quotes and sayings are also an appropriate choice. Forever in our hearts is one that can be used to say that the love lives on in others. Too well treasured to ever be forgotten is also a word of comfort for the deceased as well as the living. Success Statements can also be used as headstone quotes and sayings. She did more than exist, she lived. She did more than listen, she understood. Rest peacefully, dear. A beautiful example of a headstone quote and saying that says something about the life that was lived rather than the death. No matter what type of headstone quote and saying you choose, please take your time with your memorial counselor to be sure you have the exact saying. Even a phrase as simple as Forever in Our Hearts can be personalized by including the relationship that was accomplished. A Loving Mother, Forever in Our Hearts. A Caregiver, Forever in Our Hearts. These are great examples of how to express your blessed feelings. Be sure your family uses a headstone quote and saying that stand out from the rest without withdrawing any life happenings. Remember that choosing the headstone quote and saying is not just for you, it’s for anyone who visits the grave and was touched by the deceased. A Time For Peace is a great saying to remember if you have to discuss this with siblings and other family members.
Headstone quotes and sayings, with a little exploring by walking through the cemetery or speaking to the monument counselor, can be made easy. At times, just hearing other saying and quotes will make that headstone quote and saying the right one for you. It’s a tribute to be assigned this duty for a loved one and even choosing your own is a gift you provide loved ones and even strangers for years to come. You can’t go erroneous if you select with care and bear in mind headstone quotes and sayings are forever.
BUY IT NOW!! NEW!! NEW!! I have formulated a list of 8 different categories of headstones quotes and headstones sayings into one downloadable format FOR ONLY $5. BUY IT NOW!! Over 300 headstone quotes and headstones sayings into 8 categories.
Ideas for Headstone Inscriptions
May 15, 2009
Ideas for Granite Headstone Inscriptions
BUY IT NOW!! NEW!! NEW!! I have formulated a list of 8 different categories of headstones quotes and headstones sayings into one downloadable format FOR ONLY $5. BUY IT NOW!! Over 300 headstone quotes and headstones sayings into 8 categories such as:
1 - Famous People Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
2 - Most Popular Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
3 - Male Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
4 - Female Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
5 - Children Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
6 - Bible Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
7 - Calming Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
8 - Classic Headstone Quotes and Headstone Sayings
Granite Headstones inscriptions are a great way to express your feelings for the deceased person. Here are some heart-touching ideas for granite headstone inscriptions that help to make a permanent granite headstone of your close ones who have passed away.
Although, we all know that death is inevitable, the loss of a beloved one is the most distressing and painful moment in life. Death can’t be avoided; but the memories of our close ones can be treasured forever with a granite headstone. After the funeral ceremony is over, a granite headstone is placed as a marker over the site of a burial in the cemetery. It is generally carved from stone, granite or marble. Granite Headstone are carved with inscriptions or epitaphs in the memory of a deceased. Granite Headstone inscriptions are considered as a long-lasting symbol of remembrance for a person who has passed away. Go through the following thoughtful wordings for granite headstone inscriptions.
Granite Headstone Inscriptions
Writing granite headstone epitaphs for your close ones is a difficult task, as you need to carefully select the appropriate words to inscribe. Granite Headstone inscriptions should reflect your personal attachment with the deceased. Through granite headstone epitaphs, you can express your sentiments, feelings and affection for the deceased person. Granite Headstone inscriptions should be written in such a way that they highlight the personality traits or accomplishments of the dead person. Granite Headstone inscriptions can be carved simply in black or white, or more elaborately in silver or gold. The style of lettering on the epitaphs depends on your personal choice. You can also add images of angels and flowers to give an ethereal feel. A laser image of the deceased can also be etched onto the granite headstone.
Granite Headstone inscriptions can be as simple as “Here lies…” or “In the memory of….”, or they can be popular verses from biblical scriptures or short poems and sayings. The relationship of the deceased to his/her survivors is also mentioned, e.g. mother of, son of, sister of, grandfather of. A typical format of granite headstone inscriptions constitutes a heading, body copy and verse.
Heading is inscribed on the top of the granite headstone. It includes wordings like ‘In loving memory’, ‘treasured memories’, ‘in affectionate remembrance of’, ‘Precious memories of’, ‘Rest in peace’, ‘Sleeping with the angels’, etc. In the body copy, the name of deceased and date of birth and death are mentioned. You can also include your feelings and shared thoughts in the body copy. At the bottom of the granite monument, bible verses, funeral poems or song lyrics are inscribed.
Granite Headstone inscriptions are a lasting tribute to a loved one. Every time, you visit the granite headstone you will remember the pleasant time spent with the person who is no longer with you. Let the memories of your close ones last for eternity with these sentimental and meaningful granite headstone inscriptions.
It’s always uncomfortable picking that certain headstone quote or headstone saying in front of a monument dealer and you never have the right words. I have many people who ask and can’t find the correct saying or categories simply because they search and search and cannot find a source which has all categories in one. I have formulated a list of 8 different categories of headstones quotes and headstones sayings into one downloadable format FOR ONLY $5. Trying to find such a complete list is just about impossible and now for ONLY $5 you get an extensive list of over 300 headstone quotes and headstone sayings for only $5. Please click on BUY IT NOW and get directed to my store and take full advantage of a great savings for yourself.