Michael Jackson will be laid to rest today in a private ceremony in Los Angeles.

Close family and friends of the singer, who died on June 25, are expected to attended the internment at the Forest Lawn cemetery.

Jackson was originally due to be buried on August 29, but the service was delayed to allow his family more time to plan the event.

They are understood to have purchased 12 burial spaces surrounding Jackson's proposed grave in the Great Mausoleum, according to the Associated Press.

Last week, Jackson's death was officially ruled to be homicide by the Los Angeles county coroner.

A police source also revealed that Jackson died as a result of acute intoxication by the anaesthetic propofol.

The findings are expected to raise the chances that charges will be brought against the doctors who worked for the singer.

Jackson, who was 50 when he died, was given a public memorial in Los Angeles in July.

(by Jason Gregory)