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 Péladeau, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and former U.S. secretary of state James Baker, who will address the funeral by video link.

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

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

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

A number of other musicians will also perform, including The Tenors vocal group, Marc Hervieux, Marie-Josée Lord and 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 Montréal accompanied by RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces escorts, a guard 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 had close connections.

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

Federal government officials said there will be road