The Rev. Al Sharpton and Joe Jackson speak at a news conference

Michael Jackson's family is carefully considering how to celebrate the pop star's legacy, civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton has said.

Reverend Sharpton and Michael Jackson's father, Joe, spoke outside the family's home in Southern California.

Reverend Sharpton said the funeral plan has to be careful and deliberate and cannot be done spontaneously.

Joe Jackson said planning for a funeral will await a finding on what happened to his son, who died on Thursday aged 50. But he said the funeral will not be closed to the public.

Mr Jackson also denied reports that his son would be buried at his Neverland ranch. He said: "That's not true."

He said Michael Jackson's children were happy and in the company of other children.