PIX: Relive Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service In Photos – Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Family and friends gathered in Encino, Calif., early Tuesday morning as they prepared to leave for Jackson’s funeral at Forest Lawn Cemetery in L.A. Last night, family also gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial Park for a private viewing.

A processional of cars departed Katherine Jackson’s Encino, Calif., mansion, Hayvenhurst, to go to the private funeral. A dozen-car police motorcade was also spotted inside the Forest Lawn Memorial Park around 7 a.m. PST, a witness told Us. Security checked each car that was admitted into the cemetery.

LaToya Jackson, Michael’s sister, sat in a car that was part of the line of vehicles that arrived at the funeral shortly after 8 a.m. PST. Her father, Joe Jackson, was in the first car of the processional, which included six Bentleys and Rolls Royces, eight Land Rovers, two limo buses and 19 California Highway Police motorcycle cops.

Before the memorial began on Tuesday, Los Angeles police officers checked the stage of the Staples Center, which was the same venue where Jackson rehearsed for his London concert tour just two days before he died on June 25. Below the stage, the front row was surrounded by large bouquets of multicolored flowers.

After the short, 30-minute service, Jackson’s casket — covered in a giant arrangement of red roses — was loaded into the hearse at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and made its way to the Staples Center, which was 10 miles away.

Fans gathered outside L.A.’s Staples Center the day of Jackson’s public memorial. More than 1.6 million people registered online for a chance to attend the ceremony, and only 8,750 names were chosen. Those with a ticket were given a free 14-page souvenir program with personalized notes from family and loved ones as they entered. Fans who brought gifts were asked to leave their offerings at a special table inside.

Outside the Staples Center, fans paid tribute to the late King of Pop, including an impersonator who posed in Jackson’s ’80s era, classic white glove. Many fans danced to Jackson’s biggest hits and showed off some of his signature moves, including his moonwalk and the infamous crotch-grabbing routine.

Vendors took the opportunity to sell T-shirts — that said “R.I.P. August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009″ — and other memorabilia outside the Staples Center.

Fans signed a large black-and-white poster of Michael Jackson outside the Staples Center.

Don King was one of the few stars to drive past the Staples Center’s press line with his window open. The boxing promoter, who departed the Jackson family compound for the memorial service earlier in the day, smiled and waved an American flag.

Usher posed with Jennifer Hudson — and her baby bump in a Martin Katz dress — backstage at the public memorial for Jackson. Hudson, pregnant with her first child, suffered the tragic loss of her own family members — her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered — last October. After taking time off, she returned to the spotlight in February.

Brooke Shields and Magic Johnson attended the memorial service. The model-turned-actress spoke at the memorial about how they first met when she was 13 years old and instantly became friends. Although she said in an interview with Rolling Stone that he became asexual to her as he started to change physically, during her tearful eulogy, she smiled and said that “Michael always knew he could count on me to be his date.”

Chris Brown — who was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of community labor after pleading guilty to felony assault after beating his ex-girlfriend Rihanna — attended the memorial service, which will include performances by Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and others.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians family — with Kim, Kourtney and Khloe all dressed in black — arrived at the Staples Center shortly after 9:30 a.m. PST. “It’s just really important to be here to support the Jackson family,” Kim, who used to visit Neverland Ranch every year as a child, told Us. “My family and I have known them for years, so it’s really special to be here for them.”

Lighting technicians and stage hands quickly finished setting up the stage, which included a giant screen that read “In Loving Memory of Michael Jackson King of Pop,” as people made their way into the arena.

As he did at an appearance on a Larry King Live the day Jackson died, Corey Feldman dressed as his old friend and wore a black Dangerous-era military jacket, a fedora and sunglasses. At one point, the actor — who referred to Jackson as “my idol, role model and a very dear friend to me, almost like a brother” — used a tissue to wipe a tear from under his shades.

Jackson’s brothers –Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy — carried their brother’s casket onto the stage at 10:30 a.m. PST. They all wore sunglasses and sparkling silver gloves as the crowd stood and applauded. The song, “We Are Going to See the King,” began playing.

Jackson’s parents Joe and Katherine arrived with Jackson’s 12-year-old son, Prince. As they entered the front rows, more than 30 other family members made their way to their seats. His other two children, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7, were also there.

Mariah Carey, in a black gown by Jenny Packham, sang the first song at the public memorial, the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There.” She was joined by Trey Lorenz as images of Jackson 5 flashed on the screen behind them.

Before quoting Maya Angelou, Queen Latifah spoke to the crowd. “He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style, she said. “Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his… Somehow, when Michael Jackson sang, when he danced, you never felt distance. You felt like you were right there… Michael was the biggest star on earth.”

Lionel Richie — whose daughter, Nicole Richie, is the goddaughter of Jackson — sang “Jesus Is Loved.” As he performed the gospel song, people in the crowd held hands, and afterwards, he walked right off stage and back to his seat in the fifth row.

As he sat at a grand piano, Stevie Wonder addressed the crowd. “This is a moment that I wish I didn’t live to see coming,” he said. “But as much as I can say that we mean it, I do know that God is good… Michael, I love you, and I’ve told you that many times.” He performed “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.”

More than a week after she thanked fans for their support on behalf of her family at the BET Awards on June 28, Jackson’s sister, attended the public memorial. The somber-looking Janet wore a black dress, beret and pearls as she stood with her parents.

John Mayer performed “Human Nature” on his guitar as the crowd clapped along. After, Jackson’s brothers all got up to hug the musician.

Jermaine Jackson held the microphone with his sparkling white glove as he sang Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” which was his younger brother’s favorite song. Jermaine was the original lead singer of the Jackson Brothers before forming the Jackson 5, in which he co-led vocals with the late singer.

The Jackson family sat in the front row at the Staples Center. From left, siblings Rebbie, Janet, Randy, Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine watched as stars celebrated the late musician’s life. His five brothers wore matching gloves.

Usher places his hand on Jackson’s casket while singing “Gone Too Soon.” Photos of Jackson as a child flash on the screen behind him. After his tearful performance, he hugged Jackson’s sister LaToya and broke into sobs. He then kneeled down to speak to Katherine and Joe before returning to his seat.

Britain’s Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi — who had been personally invited to join in Jackson’s comeback tour in London — sang “Who’s Lovin’ You.” After the song, he said: “I love Michael Jackson. I just want to thank him so much for blessing me and every single individual on this earth.”

As children and celebs took the stage to sing “Heal the World,” Janet Jackson stands with Prince, Paris and Blanket, who shielded his face with a Michael Jackson doll. At one point, Paris kissed Blanket’s hands as they all sang along.

After Jermaine and Marlon speak, Paris asked for the microphone. “I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said through sobs. “And I just wanted so say I love him so much,” Janet embraced her before she and several other family members led the 11-year-old off the stage.

Kenny Ortega, who was directing Jackson’s comeback tour, introduced a group to sing “We Are the World.” Stars such as Lionel Richie and Jennifer Hudson were on stage for the performance as well as his daughter Paris and other family members.

Jackson’s casket, which remained on the stage throughout the entire two-hour televised memorial, was rolled out by family members as an instrumental version of “Man in the Mirror” played. After Jackson family friend Pastor Lucius Smith read a benediction, the event drew to a close.

(Photo Credits: INF photo, Wally Skalij-Pool/Getty Images/Us Weekly)