A father-of-four whose dying wish was to be buried in the garden of the house he was born and died in has been pictured for the first time – as his property hits the market for £125,000.
Michael Jackson, 61, was laid to rest in the garden of his three-bedroom house in Leeds, West Yorkshire, after he passed away in September last year.
Weeks after his passing, a local vicar consecrated the ground and an intimate service was held among Mr Jackson’s closest relatives.
Mr Jackson, who was born at the residence in 1958, and his seven siblings were raised in the house by his mother Joan and late father James.
He remained at the property when his mother moved out and even had a Leeds United club crest placed at the front of the house.
Father-of-four Michael Jackson, 61, asked to be laid to rest in the garden of the three-bedroom house in Leeds, West Yorkshire
Mr Jackson’s family fulfilled his dying wish and held an intimate ceremony in his garden after his passing in September last year
The popular odd-job man, who also had six grandchildren, passed away in September last year after accidentally choking to death while eating, The Sun reports.
His mother Joan, 84, told The Sun: ‘Michael loved that house and always said he wanted to be buried there. The whole family knew that was what he wanted.’
Meanwhile his sister Denise added: ”He always said he wanted to be buried in the back garden and be a part of it and now he is.’
Today residents living within feet of the house spoke of their shock and surprise at the revelation.
Anna Zurawska, 22, lives opposite the property and said she did not know about the unusual situation until this morning.
She said: ‘I think it’s so creepy. I don’t think people should be buried in their gardens, isn’t that what cemeteries are for?
‘I wouldn’t buy a house if the old owner was buried in the garden, even if it was perfect in every other way.
‘It’s just too creepy. I believe in ghosts and that kind of thing so I would be too scared. Maybe I have seen too many horror movies.’
Ms Zurawsla said she did not know the homeowner but that she had seen paramedics entering the property at one point last year.
Another neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he did know the man and that he knew him as Mick Jackson.
He said: ‘He was a lovely man. It certainly doesn’t bother me that he’s buried in the garden. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter where you’re buried, when you’re dead you’re dead.
‘I don’t believe in the paranormal so there’s nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned.’
He added: ‘He lived in that house all his life so it’s nice in a way. He was a really nice guy, the kind of person who would do anything for anyone.’
A woman who identified herself as the deceased homeowner’s sister was at the property today but declined to comment.
The three-bedroom property, which boasts an entrance hall, ‘pine’ fitted dining kitchen and a bathroom, is on the market for £125,000 on Zoopla
A profile on the website reads: ‘Please be aware this property is being sold by family members as part of a relative’s estate’
The profile continued: ‘It was the deceased’s wishes to be buried in the garden as he was born and died in the house. This wish has been carried out and the property will be sold as is’ (pictured: The home’s living room)
The property boasts double glazing and ‘eco-friendly heating’ including gas boiler, solar panels and also the facility to power the heating from the wood burning stove in the living room
Yesterday a notice on the home’s Zoopla profile revealed that the previous owner’s family agreed to his request, and part of the garden is currently rented from Leeds City Council.
The profile read: ‘Please be aware this property is being sold by family members as part of a relative’s estate.
‘It was the deceased’s wishes to be buried in the garden as he was born and died in the house. This wish has been carried out and the property will be sold as is.’
There is no onward chain.
The property boasts double glazing and ‘eco-friendly heating’ including gas boiler, solar panels and also the facility to power the heating from the wood burning stove in the living room.
It provides an entrance hall, sliding doors to the conservatory, ‘pine’ fitted dining kitchen, three ‘good size’ bedrooms and the bathroom having a white suite.
Outside there is a shared drive and parking to the front of the house and garden to the rear with storage/wood sheds.
The location, Middleton, is roughly four miles from Leeds City Centre.
It provides an entrance hall, sliding doors to the conservatory, ‘pine’ fitted dining kitchen, three ‘good size’ bedrooms and the bathroom having a white suite
The three-bedroom house is on the market for £125,000, but potential buyers have been warned the property comes with its former owner buried in the garden
Photos on the property website Zoopla from sellers’ Manning Stainton show the spacious family home, complete with a large, kitchen, bathroom and an airy sitting room.
The listing has spooked some people since it was shared on Twitter yesterday, with many social media users put off by the unusual clause of sale.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘F***ing hell that is mental.’
Another added: ‘What on earth.’
A third joked: ‘All in all, I’d be more inclined to grow roses than potatoes.’