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Michael Jackson's funeral is likely to be the biggest in entertainment history, drawing tens of thousands of mourners and hundreds of millions of TV viewers.
It is expected to eclipse that of Elvis Presley in 1977, at which 75,000 fans lined the streets of Memphis, and could rival Princess Diana's 12 years ago, when 250,000 gathered in Hyde Park.
Even the funeral of silent film star Rudolph Valentino in New York in 1926 drew 40,000 fans.
Celebrity mourners at Jackson's service could include showbiz legends such as Sir Paul McCartney, who sang with him, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Even if his family insists on a private ceremony, it will be almost impossible to keep fans away.
Jackson was raised a Jehovah's Witness, forbidden from following funeral customs that are not mentioned in the Bible.
But there was speculation last year that Jackson had secretly converted to Islam.
When his death was confirmed by his brother Jermaine, who became a Muslim 20 years ago, he said: "May Allah be with you, Michael."
Though Jackson did not admit embracing Islam, he moved to Dubai after he was cleared of child abuse in 2005, and was linked to the American black Muslim organisation Nation of Islam, which provided security for him at his trial.
If a Muslim funeral takes place, the body is usually buried within two days of death.
However, it emerged last night that his body may not be buried at all, but could be preserved for ever in his famous moonwalk stance.
The claim was made by German doctor Gunther von Hagens. He said he had agreed with representatives of Jackson's family “months ago” that his body would be plastinated and placed next to the singer's late chimp Bubbles, who was preserved after his death and is on display in the show at the O2 arena.
A spokesman for Dr von Hagens said it was one of Jackson's last wishes to be reunited with Bubbles. While von Hagens is keen to keep the pose of the superstar's plastinate under wraps, he hinted that the moonwalk position would naturally be favoured.
It is hoped the exhibit will be unveiled towards the end of July for fans to visit and pay respects.
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(Agencies)
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迈克尔•杰克逊的葬礼有望成为娱乐界历史上最盛大的葬礼，届时将有数万人前往悼念，同时还会有数亿观众通过电视观看。
据称，葬礼盛况将超过1977年艾维斯·普莱斯利（猫王）的葬礼，当时有7.5万名粉丝在孟菲斯街头目送他远去，同时还可能超越12年前戴安娜王妃的葬礼，当时有25万人聚集在海德公园悼念她。
甚至1926年在纽约为无声电影明星鲁道夫•瓦伦蒂诺举办的葬礼也只有4万名粉丝前往。
参加杰克逊葬礼的名人将包括一些娱乐界传奇人物，例如与他同台演唱过的保罗•麦卡特尼，以及伊丽莎白•泰勒。
尽管他的家人坚持举办一个私人葬礼，但几乎不可能躲过粉丝。
杰克逊是耶和华见证人教会的一员，因此他的葬礼传统不能超出《圣经》规定的范畴。
但也有传言称，杰克逊已于去年秘密改信伊斯兰教。
当他的哥哥杰梅因•杰克逊证实这一死讯时，他说：“迈克尔，希望真主保佑你。”杰梅因在20年前就已经皈依伊斯兰教。
尽管杰克逊并未承认皈依伊斯兰教，但在2005年洗清虐童罪名后，他迁往迪拜，并与美国黑人穆斯林组织“伊斯兰国家派”保持联系，该组织曾负责他在审判时的安保工作。
如果按照穆斯林传统举办葬礼，遗体通常会在逝后两日内入土安葬。
但据昨晚消息，杰克逊的遗体有可能不入土安葬，而是以“月球漫步”的招牌舞姿被永久保存。
德国医生冈瑟•冯•哈根斯公布了这一声明。哈根斯称，在几个月之前，他就与杰克逊家属代表达成了协议，将在其死后对遗体进行塑化保存，并安置在杰克逊已故的宠物猩猩“泡泡”身旁。“泡泡”在死后被塑化保存，目前在O2场馆中展出。
冯•哈根斯博士的一位发言人称，与“泡泡”团聚是杰克逊的遗愿之一。尽管冯•哈根斯想对天王的塑化保存姿势保密，但他暗示称当然会选择月球漫步舞姿。
保存后的遗体有望于7月底对公众展示，粉丝们可以前往参观致意。
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（英语点津 实习生许雅宁编辑）
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