Celine Dion was apparently too grief-stricken to attend her brother Daniel Dion's funeral on Monday. A source told Entertainment Tonight that the Titanic songbird felt unable to go through any more public mourning. Instead the 47-year-old mother-of-three paid her final respects at a quiet memorial service on Saturday.
Celine Dion at her husband's funeral service on Friday
Daniel died, aged 59, two days after her beloved husband and mentor René Angelil. In another sad set of circumstances he even had a similar form of cancer, her sister Claudette revealed, saying that her close knit family of 14 siblings "is extremely experienced with this kind of illness".
Celine travelled to funeral home Salon Charles Rajotte, outside of Montreal in Repentigny on Saturday for Daniel's memorial – after bidding a final farewell to 73-year-old René at an emotional televised service on Friday. She also spent hours greeting supporters at her husband's wake on Thursday evening.
Her family has also mourned her brother with a memorial on Saturday and a funeral on Monday
The loss of her brother so soon after her husband has left the Canadian singer devastated.
"It's hard. They're close; she's close with all her siblings," a source told the Montreal Gazette. Meanwhile, People reported: "Her heart is in pieces. She's extremely heartbroken."
Celine says the support of fans has been a blessing
Her decision to stay away from Daniel's funeral in Quebec may also have been to spare her three children. The burial service coincided with René-Charles' 15th birthday and Celine also has five-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson. Throughout their father's illness, she tried to provide a happy family environment with normal childhood treats such as taking them to Disneyland in October.
Her teenage son has been a tower of strength to his mother in these testing times. Arriving with his maternal grandmother, Therese on his arm at his father René's funeral, RC kept his composure in front of mourning fans.
He then impressed the congregation and millions more watching around the world with a moving eulogy to his father, remembering the happy times they shared together.
"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."