Gladys Knight - Knight To Sing At Jackson's Burial

GLADYS KNIGHT will sing at MICHAEL JACKSON's burial on Thursday night (03Sep09) when family and close friends will say a final farewell to the King of Pop.

Aretha Franklin was believed to be the special guest performer at the emotional ceremony at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California, but Knight's representative has confirmed she will sing as the casket holding Jackson's remains is lowered into a concrete burial pit.

Knight was close to the singer when he was a child and once shared the same manager with him, according to TMZ.com.

A 'dress rehearsal' for Thursday's sombre ceremony was reportedly held at Forest Lawn on Wednesday night (02Sep09).

The family is keeping details about the service under lock and key.

Jackson died on 25 June (09). His death has since been ruled a homicide.