Michael Jackson Funeral [giant recap with videos & photos]

Live Updates:

3:57 p.m.The star-studded ceremony attended by nearly 20,000 at the Staples Center and watched by millions around the world officially concludes. Jackson's body has left the building and into the care of his family.

3:49 p.m. The emotional public memorial comes to an end and the crowd starts to walk out of the arena.

3:43 p.m. Jackson's casket is rolled away. The proceedings are closed with a prayer.
3:41 p.m. Jackson's daughter Paris takes the microphone and shocks the crowd, saying, "Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love you."

3:37 p.m. Jackson's brother Marlon takes the microphone, sharing stories about their childhood. "I love you Michael, and I'll miss you."

3:35 p.m. Jermaine Jackson thanks everyone for attending. "We thank you very much," he says.

3:29 p.m. All the performers hit the stage and sing Jackson's "Heal the World." The singers are joined by dozens of children, including Jackson's two sons and daughter.

3:26 p.m. Singers belt out "We Are the World" in Jackson's honor, including Jackson's brothers.

3:20 p.m. 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi sings a Jackson tribute.

3:13 p.m. Smokey Robinson takes the stage again to address the crowd. He says "the world will never, ever forget Michael Jackson."

3:12 p.m. A video montage of Jackson performing as a child is played on a large screen over the stage.

3:11 p.m. Usher breaks down in tears near the end of the song. Walks off the stage, goes near casket and hugs Jackson's brothers and sister Janet at the end of the song.

3:07 p.m. Usher performs "Gone Too Soon."

2:59 p.m. Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee says Jackson was "an icon."

2:53 p.m. Martin Luther King III and Bernice King speak about Jackson's legacy.

2:48 p.m. Jackson's brother Jermaine leaves his front row seat and takes to the stage to sing "Smile."

2:44 p.m. When Brooke mentions going with Jackson to Elizabeth Taylor's wedding, you could hear a mass whisper: "Which one?"

2:39 p.m. Brooke Shields comes on stage, calls Jacko "one of a kind." Sheilds almost cries before talking about her friendship with Jackson.

2:34 p.m. John Mayer comes on stage amid chants of "Michael, Michael, Michael." Mayer sings "Human Nature" while strumming his electric guitar.

2:24 p.m. Rev. Al Sharpton begins talking about his memories of Michael. Sharpton says Jackson "broke down the color curtain" on MTV when he put on one glove and pulled up his pants.

2:20 p.m. Jennifer Hudson, who is eight months pregnant, is singing "Will You Be There?" Ah-mazing!

2:13 p.m. Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant take the stage.

"And beyond all of his records -- Michael even made the "Guinness Book of World Records" for most charities supported by a pop star," says Kobe.

Magic says, "He was so incredible. He always had command of not only the band and his brothers but also the audience. He made me be such a great point guard by watching him.

I want to talk to you about being in a video, Remember the Time. But i had to double check with Jackie that it was really Michael. I was scared to death to go over to this house because he was my idol.

That was was the greatest moment of my life. We had the greatest time sitting on that floor eating that bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. This is a celebration of his life, his legacy. I want to thank Michael for opening so many doors for African Americans, on late-night shows, daytime shows.

His three children have the most incredible grandmother that god has puto n this earth to take care of them. They will have incredible uncles and aunts to take care of them as well. And they will have plenty of cousins to take care of them as well."

Johnson also says seeing how Michael handled a band made him a better point guard and basketball player.

2:06 p.m. Camera bulbs electrifying Staples as Stevie Wonder takes stage. He plays "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer."

2:02 p.m. A video montage of Jackson highlights is playing.

2:00 p.m. "He loved everything and everybody, especially his fans," Gordy says.

"Offstage he was shy, soft-spoken and childlike. And then he took the stage and he turned into a another person. A master ... It was kill or be killed. Michael was awesome -- totally in charge. The more I think and talk about Michael Jackson, I feel the king of pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

"Thank you for the joy. Thank you for the love. You will live in my heart forever. I love you."

1:57 p.m. Gordy talks of the early days when his family would play the Jacksons in softball. And he talked about when Michael would sing that Gordy could see "the happiness in his soul because that's what he loved to do."

1:53 p.m. Barry Gordy, who founded Motown Records, takes the stage.

1:50 p.m. Lionel Richie performs "Jesus is Love."

1:48 p.m. Queen Latifah talks about his humor and style, saying, "We had him. ... He took a pose on his toes ... and we laughed and stomped our feet for him. We were enchanted with his passion."

1:44 p.m. Queen Latifah takes the stage to talk about Jackson.

1:40 p.m. Mariah Carey belts out a stirring rendition of her hit song "I'll be There." Crowd wonders what's wrong with her voice.

1:34 p.m. Coffin enters the arena following a 10-minute pause.

1:22 p.m. Jennifer Hudson quietly enters the floor through the east entrance.

1:21 p.m. Polite applause as the Rev. Jesse Jackson enters the arena floor.

1:11 p.m. Smokey Robinson reads a statement from Diana Ross explaining why she couldn't attend the memorial. She says she's grieving in private.

Then he reads a statement from Nelson Mandela praising Jackson.

12:47 p.m. Jackson's body arrives at the Staples Center.

Get a look at the memorial program here.