Jackson Service a Vast Undertaking

The memorial service for the late Michael Jackson is expected to be a "phenomenal undertaking," said spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department Earl Pacinger, according to MTV.com. Although only 17,500 tickets will be distributed through a lottery for the Tuesday 10 a.m. service in Los Angeles, it is estimated that 750,000 fans from all over the globe could make their way to the city.

Those without tickets have been urged to stay home to watch the service to help make the area safe and healthy for those who do have access to the event.

According to the Associated Press, many fans have been visiting Jackson sites from Los Angeles to the Neverland Ranch in rural Santa Barbara County.

Eleven thousand of the tickets will be for the Staples Center, while the remaining 6,500 will be for the Nokia Theatre across the street, according to MTV.com. According to the Associated Press, the Staple Center Web site, where fans could enter the lottery, was impossible to access once the announcement about the tickets was made, Friday.

The city of Los Angeles is struggling with a $530 million budget deficit. According to Reuters, the city is unclear on how to pay for the memorial, which is expected to cost millions. Los Angeles city councilwoman Jan Perry said events like the memorial are built into the city's budget, but said she is seeking help to pay for it. The estimated cost is still unknown.

Last month, private donations helped fund a Los Angeles Lakers celebration.