The cost of MICHAEL JACKSON’s funeral has rocketed following concerns over the wildfires sweeping California.

The late King of Pop will be laid to rest on Thursday (03Sept09) at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale just outside of the danger area.

Jackson matriarch, Katherine, appealed to a Los Angeles judge on Wednesday (02Sep09) requesting the late pop legend’s estate pays for the “extraordinary” costs of the burial, insisting the administrators “understand and appreciate” the scale of the ceremony.

The request was approved, but the costs of the service has not been disclosed.

And the scale of the expenses for Jackson’s passing are said to be climbing higher over fears thousands of fans will descend on the surrounding area, according to RadarOnline.com.

Extra security has had to be supplied to manage the expected throng, and more safety precautions will be put in place in case the wildfires spread.

By rounak