Jackson's body will be taken to the ranch, north of Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday in preparation for viewing Friday and a private memorial service will take place on Sunday, reported CNN.

Planning is under way for a 30-car motorcade carrying Jackson's remains to leave the Los Angeles area on Thursday for Santa Barbara County, a law enforcement official said.

Although the public viewing will be held in California, the pop legend's final burial place has not yet been disclosed.

Jackson's father, Joe, has said Neverland Ranch has been ruled out as a burial site, but the family has given no public indication on where the singer's final resting place may be.

Earlier reports suggested that Jackson may be buried in his hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Mayor Rudy Clay of Gary told a Chicago radio station that he has been in contact with the Jackson family to send the singer's body there for burial.

At the same time, a massive memorial service has been planned in Gary for July 10 and the Mayor's spokesperson said that they have started work on a proposed Jackson family museum and a performing arts center.

And in New York, thousands lined the streets waiting for hours outside Harlem's Apollo Theater, to lay flowers and other mementos at the foot of the theater stage which launched Jackson's career.