Plans to allow fans to mourn the singer's death stalled after his family said his body would not go on show at Neverland, his luxury home in California.

It had previously been suggested Jackson's remains could be taken to the property, following his fatal cardiac arrest last week at the age of 50.

Once a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses, Neverland - the 2,500-acre ranch in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country - has become the site of a makeshift memorial.

Former Jackson Five star Jermaine Jackson said he would like to see the ranch as his brother's final resting place.

In an interview broadcast on NBC's Today show, Jermaine also said he wishes he had died instead of his younger brother, and that Michael was "a gift from Allah".

Jermaine said: "He went too soon. I don't know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me."

On Wednesday, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said a public memorial was in the works but it would not be held at Neverland.

A person familiar with the situation told reporters that permits for a burial at the sprawling estate could not be arranged in time.

Meanwhile, the battle over Jackson's legacy was set to continue after it emerged Jackson left his fortune to his three children and his mother.

Jackson's entire estate is left to a family trust, which means under US laws the exact details do not have to be made public.

But the will, made in July 2002, cuts out his former wife Debbie Rowe.

The family trust will provide for the children - aged between seven and 12 - and Jackson's 79-year-old mother Katherine.