Celine Dion and her family honoured her husband, Réne Angélil, in a traditional Catholic Mass on Friday, as the 73-year-old was laid to rest. The singer, who held the hands of her two youngest sons as she entered the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, led hundreds of mourners at a public funeral held in her husband’s hometown.During the moving ceremony, Réne and Celine’s eldest son Réne-Charles took to the podium to share a heartbreaking eulogy about his beloved father, leaving many in tears.
Réne-Charles has many of the congregation in tears with his moving eulogy about his father
"Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father. You had a busy life, but we were communicating through golf, hockey, poker and smoked meat…and a lot of other wonderful food, bonding more and more as time went by," said the grief-stricken 14-year-old, who celebrates his birthday next week. "You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers. As they grow older, without you being around, I’ll make sure to pass on what I’ve learned from you," he continued, before concluding: "You are a tough act to follow, but with your help, everything’s going to be fine. Dad, I promise you here that we’re all going to live up to your standards."
Celine Dion held hands with her three children as she left the Basilica
Despite speculation, the singer did not sing at the funeral, although her songs were played inside the church. After the religious service, the singer kissed the top of Réne’s casket before walking down the aisle, holding on tightly to all three of her children.Music industry colleagues, celebrities, politicians and fans filled out the Cathedral in Old Montreal, to pay tribute to the much respected music manager. The funeral was also live-streamed, so that fans from across the globe could say their final goodbyes.