Wayne Gretzky to deliver eulogy at Brian Mulroney's state funeral in Montreal

Wayne Gretzky will be among the high-profile figures to eulogize former prime minister Brian Mulroney at his state funeral on March 23, government officials announced Friday.

Mulroney's daughter Caroline will also speak,along with Canadian media baron Pierre Karl Pladeau, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and former U.S. secretary of state James Baker, who will addressthe funeral by video link.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will provide "an address" to those gathered at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montral at 11 a.m. on Saturday, officials said. Only those invited will be permitted inthe Basilica.

The funeral ceremony will feature prayers, readings, hymns and a communion to be delivered by Archbishop of MontralChristian Lpine and Miguel Castellanos, rector of Notre-Dame Basilica.

During a briefing Friday, Canadian Heritage officialsalso said that musical interludes during the funeral will be provided by members of the Montral Symphony Orchestra (OSM) and the OSM Chorus.

A number of othermusicians will also perform, including The Tenors vocal group, Marc Hervieux, Marie-Jose Lordand Elizabeth Theodora Lapham, Mulroney's granddaughter.

Before the ceremony, the funeral procession will make its way from Saint Patrick's Basilica to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montralaccompanied byRCMPand Canadian Armed Forces escorts, aguard of honour and the Royal Canadian Air Force Band.

Guests will include family, friends, current and former government representatives and dignitaries, and representatives of organizations with which Mulroney hadclose connections.

A 19-gun salute will be conducted at the end of the ceremony from the Clock Tower Pier in the Old Port of Montral.

Federal government officials said there will be road closures and a significant police presence around the funeral events in both Ottawa and Montreal.

Lying in state and repose

In the days leading up to the funeral, Mulroney will lie in state at the Sir John A. Macdonald Buildingon Wellington Street in Ottawa on March 19from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 20. Gov. Gen. Mary May Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be invited in to pay their respects to the Mulroney family privately.

All members of the public wishing to attend the lying in state will have to pass through security screening. Onceinside the building, books of condolence will be availableto sign.

After the Ottawa event, Mulroney will lie in repose at Saint Patrick's Basilicaon Ren-Lvesque Blvd. in Montralfrom March 21 to 22.

On the morning of March 21, dignitaries and family guests will privately express their sympathies to the Mulroney family at the Basilica.

The public lying-in-repose will take place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on March 21, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 22.

Members of the public will be able to sign a book of condolencesbut should expect to pass throughsecurity screening before being permitted into the Basilica.

Canadian Heritage officials said that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to express sympathy should consider making a donation to theBrian Mulroney Institute of Governmentat St. Francis Xavier University or to theCarrefour international Brian-Mulroneyat Universit Laval.

Mulroney, Canada's 18th prime minister, died surrounded by family on Feb. 29.