Michael Jackson's Final Farewell, his golden casket according to CNN, was placed in front of the stage at his memorial as a choir sang.
Michael Jackson's casket was placed in front of the stage at the Staples Center.
Michael's older brothers served as pallbearers, carrying the coffin to the stage as the Andrae Crouch choir sang "Soon and Very Soon."
Staples Center resembled a church sanctuary with a stain-glassed backdrop on stage.
Mariah Carey was joined by Trey Lorenz singing The Jackson 5's 1970 hit "I'll Be there" as a montage of Jackson photographs appeared on arena screens.
Queen Latifah, saying she was on stage to represent "millions of fans inspired by Michael," said "Michael was the biggest star on earth." Lionel Richie then performed the song "Jesus is Love."
Smokey Robinson in behalf of Jackson's celebrity friends, read personal messages who could not attend.
"Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my life, part of the fabric of my life, in a way that I can't seem to find words to express" Diana Ross said in a message read by Smokey Robinson.
Robinson also read a message from Nelson Mandela, saying they had grown close after trips and performances in South Africa.
"We had great admiration for his talent and that he was able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life. Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry. And we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide," Robinson said, relaying Mandela's message. "We also mourn with his family and his friends over the loss of our dear friend."
The public memorial began after Jackson's family and closest friends attended a gathering at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills on Tuesday morning.
Jackson's family and friends were at the chapel, which can hold about 1,000 people. Seven men carried the golden casket covered in red flowers from Forest Lawn's Hall of Liberty.
"It wouldn't be fair for the fans who are going to appear and be here at the Staples Center not to see his casket," Teddy Riley, a singer who worked closely with Jackson on several albums, said. Watch Riley talk about working with Jackson
An army of fans poured into Los Angeles from places far-flung, hoping to collectively mourn their idol in a massive ceremony.
Thousands appeared to be on hand, but the atmosphere was peaceful, almost festive. People waited patiently, talking to each other, taking pictures and singing Jackson songs. Some fans were excited, others somber, as they entered the arena.
Parking lots in the area taking advantage of the situation, raised their prices, some as high as $30. Airports in Southern California saw a spike in bookings. And several movie theaters in the area announced special screenings of the event, which also will be carried live by some television networks and Web sites.
The Police also put up concrete barriers around the center, allowing only fans with tickets to the star-studded event to enter. See gallery as people prepare for service »
The first fans, those holding the best seats, began entering the arena at 7:30 a.m. The service is set to start at 10 a.m. (1 p.m. ET).
Deka Motanya, a San Francisco, California, woman who won tickets in the computer lottery, posted a message on Twitter just before 9 a.m. saying she had reached her "not-too-bad seats." "Michael jackson music playing. people filling in; very organized w/ assigned seats" her message said. Watch fans pay tribute at Neverland »
The stage is set up on one end of the Staples Center's converted basketball court.
The Memorial of Michael Jackson
Wide steps lead up from both sides and two transparent podiums are posed on either side. Drums sit in the background and small floral arrangements rest against the front of the stage, where three rows of chairs form a semicircle.
How much is the cost of Michael's memorial? The total cost for security at the event is estimated to be between $2 million and $4 million, said Matt Szabo, spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The city, in the midst of a budget crisis, will foot the bill, said Councilwoman Jan Perry last week. But it needs help. By the time the memorial begins, about 3,000 officers will be at the Staples Center site, police said. Watch police say fans without tickets should stay home »
Until the last minute, the Jackson family remained tight-lipped about where the singer will be buried, but signs pointed to Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills after several carloads of people, La Toya Jackson among them, visited the cemetery Monday.
The Staples event is expected to feature singers Mariah Carey, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
Also participating will be basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson; singers Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Smokey Robinson; and activists Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Al Sharpton, according to an announcement released on behalf of the Jackson family. Two notable absences will be actress Elizabeth Taylor, a longtime Jackson friend, and Debbie Rowe, Jackson's former wife and the mother of his two older children.
Watch as the celebrities speak, sing tribute to Michael Jackson
