QUICK TAKES - Aug. 18, 2009

Nearly two months have passed since Michael Jackson’s death on June 25. But now, after weeks of wild rumors about the state of his remains and Jackson family in-fighting about where to bury the body, the singer is finally going to be laid to rest, his father said.

In interviews with the New York Daily News and People magazine published Monday, Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, said the singer would be buried in a private ceremony at Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn Cemetery. He said the burial date was set for Aug. 29 -- what would have been the superstar’s 51st birthday.

Jermaine Jackson, one of Michael’s brothers, has expressed wishes for Michael to be interred on the grounds of his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County. Local residents have objected to the idea of burying Jackson’s remains there, however, citing environmental concerns, the lack of a burial permit and zoning laws as issues.

Joe Jackson indicated that the Forest Lawn burial plans had been finalized in the last few days. A call to a Jackson family spokesman was not immediately returned.

-- Chris Lee