Less than 24 hours after Michael Jackson’s funeral, his father Joe LAUGHED and JOKED for the cameras.

Joe, 79, shocked onlookers as he clowned around outside the family home in Los Angeles.

They said he looked “almost ecstatic” and “totally relaxed” as he trotted down the drive to chat to family friend the Rev Jesse Jackson who was giving TV interviews outside the house.

One fan said: “Millions are mourning around the world and he’s laughing his head off. It’s absolutely sickening.”

His bizarre performance was in total contrast to the grim appearance of the rest of Jacko’s family, including weeping mum Katherine, 79, who now have to sort out a nightmarish tangle of problems thrown up by his sudden death. They include…

The funeral: Should he be cremated in line with the family’s Jehovah’s Witness beliefs – or buried to comply with his apparent Muslim conversion.

The cause Of Death: Jacko’s family are deeply unhappy with the first postmortem and want a second.

The doctor: They want to put a series of searching questions to the cardiologist – dubbed Dr Feelgood -who was with Michael in his last minutes.

The will: Jacko is thought to have signed at least TWO wills with no clear heir to his potentially vast wealth, setting the stage for a bitter battle over his estimated £30 million-a-year income.

The kids: A tug-of-love battle is looming over the star’s three children. As bewildered fans asked “What’s with Michael’s dad – is he celebrating”, a source close to the family said: “This is a very turbulent and distressing time for them.”

The Rev Jackson, 67, a legendary US civil rights leader, confirmed the family are deeply concerned about the role of Dr Conrad Murra.

They want to know if Dr Murray, 56 – who struck up a frienship with Jacko when he treated the star for a cold last year – injected the singer with the powerful Demerol nicknamed Hillbilly before his death at his rented mansion in Holmby Hils, LA, on Thursday night.

Demand

The Rev Jackson said: “When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did he inject him? If so, with what? Was he on the scene twice?

“Did he use the Demerol? It’s a very powerful drug. Was he injected once? Was he injected twice?” And the Jacksons are to demand a second independent autopsy so they can be sure there is no cover-up.

La coroner’s officer Brian Elias said: “My understanding is that they have requested a second autopsy. But we have no way of confirming that.

“The body is in a mortuary and if they want to proceed with a separate autopsy, it is up to them.”

The family are also said to be questioning the role of his advisors, who they believe were put in place by AEG Live, the promoters of his London gigs.

Jacko had insisted promoters of his London gigs put Dr Murray on the payroll as his personal physician.

A pal, who asked not to be named, said: “There are decisions going down without the family being in the loop. It is becoming an issue.”

Michael’s body was yesterday in a secret mortuary after being released to the Jackson family by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Relatives kept the location of the body top secret to keep it safe from twisted fans and cranks.

The family were said to be struggling with the stark choice of cremating Michael according to the family’s Jehovah’s Witness beliefs – or burying him to comply with his apparent Muslim conversion.

The singer was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but before his death there were reports he had secretly converted to Islam, like some of his family.

Last night Michael’s sister Janet, 43, arrived at his mansion in a Bentley to supervise removal of his belongings.

And fans continued to express their outrage at dad Joe’s strange behaviour.

One said: “This does not look to me like a man in mourning.

Guess he’s the star now. Sheeesh. This probably says a lot about why Michael had the troubles he did.” [email protected]