'Today is the end of the eve for a giant': Brian Mulroney's state funeral honoured a former leader and family man

RCMP honour guard carried former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's casket out of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal at the conclusion of his state funeral.

As his casket moved through the crowd, the late politician's voice could be heard crooning a rendition of "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn.

The bells of the basilica tolled 18 times to honour his place as Canada's 18th prime minister.

Brian Mulroney's granddaughter, Elizabeth Theodora Lapham, struggled to maintain her composure as she sang what she called “my papa’s favourite song,” which was “Mais qu’est-ce que j’ai?” or “But what can I do?” in English.

People watching former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's state funeral on Saturday at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal shared their thoughts on social media, with many people expressing their respects for the late politician.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky delivered a eulogy to the funeral attendees outlining the personal reach former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney had on his and his family's life.

Gretzky said before he was set to take to the ice for game 3 of the Canada Cup, Mulroney's chief of staff contacted him saying the former prime minister wanted to have a call with him.

Mulroney's call was simple: "I'm wishing you good luck, son," Gretzky recalled.

Gretzky also touched on Mulroney's love for singing, recalling that while attending a wedding, he was seated at a table with the politician's wife Mila and the leader.

"The prime minister kept looking at us saying, 'I'm going to sing tonight,' 'cause he loved to sing," Gretzky reminisced with a grin.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touched on major milestones of Mulroney's distinctive political career in his eulogy, saying what made the former Canadian leader stand apart was his heart.

"He loved this country with all his heart. ... He loved Canadians and hearing their stories," Trudeau said.

Trudeau pointed to Mulroney's love for the environment, saying "the sky was not the limit with Mulroney," and that he literally wanted to fix the sky, referencing the ozone layer. He added that Mulroney was "never afraid to take on a fight," and that he "always stayed generous, charming and very funny."

"Today is the end of the eve for a giant. He led the way for future generations," Trudeau wrapped in his address.

Brian Mulroney's only daughter, Caroline Mulroney, paid tribute to her father, painting a portrait of an endearing family man and sharing two things that mattered most to the former prime minister: Family and politics.

She shared an anecdote of how her father surprised journalists on the eve of his election win.

"It's my daughter Caroline's 9th birthday. In a moment of great achievement, he showed that family came first," Caroline shared.

Caroline shared it was her father's defence for minorities that pointed her to her own flourishing political career.

"To dad, everyone mattered," she said.

"I will not surprise anyone by saying he had Canada under his skin. ... While he didn't like polls, he did like headlines, and the ones that have come out over the previous few weeks would have pleased him."

She recalled on the last day from his hospital bed, Brian called out for his wife, Mila, asking her what was the plan for the day. Mila responded, asking what he'd like for her to plan for the day, to which Brian replied saying "nottin'," in his own way of saying "nothing."

"I miss you, daddy," Caroline closed off saying.

Brian Mulroney's flag-draped casket arrives at Notre-Dame Basilica after a snowy funeral procession through the streets of Montreal.

Dignitaries, political leaders and invited guests braved the cold and snow as they made their way into the Notre-Dame Basilica as Brian Mulroney's state funeral is set to begin.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Quebec Premier Francois Legault

Speaker of the House of Commons Greg Fergus

Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Serge Savard

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed

United States ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen

State funerals are public events held to commemorate former governors general, prime ministers, other members of the cabinet who died in office, and, at the cabinet's discretion, other eminent Canadians.

Let's take a moment and take a glance at previous state funerals held in the country.

Former Opposition Leader Jack Layton (2011)

Gov. Gen. Roméo LeBlanc (2009)

Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau (2000)

Former prime minister John Diefenbaker (1979)

Brian Mulroney's three sons say there's no doubt their father would have been thrilled by this week's public tributes honouring his life, according to reporting by the Canadian Press.

"He would have loved it. He is smiling down right now," Mark Mulroney said in an interview with his two brothers.

In an interview with The Morning Show, Mulroney's son Ben said "We are having a tough go.. You are OK until you are not OK," when asked how the family was responding to the former PM's death.

Nicolas Mulroney said the week has been emotional but that he and his brothers feel energized after hearing so many stories from Canadians about how his father impacted their lives.

"I've told people that since his passing, his legacy has given me a superpower," he said. "While grief comes in waves, what I have experienced personally by the people that have come through the door has just been absolutely powerful and I'll be forever grateful."

Nick says his father's example shows that "Canada is a place where possible can happen."

"Just because you started out as a poor boy on the North Shore in Baie-Comeau (Quebec) doesn't mean that that's where you're going to end up," he said. "And he worked really hard. And Canada is a great country and he showcased exactly what you can do in this country."

Brian Mulroney's reign as prime minister started with one of the largest political wins in Canadian history — after he and his Progressive Conservatives won a record 211 seats in the House of Commons in the 1984 federal election.

During his time in office until 1993, his impact included brokering the free trade deal and acid rain treaty with the U.S., introducing the loonie, as well as his leading position in the fight against racial apartheid in South Africa. However, moves like the introduction of the GST and the Airbus scandal also led to unpopular opinions toward Mulroney.

The funeral ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Notre-Dame Basilica (110 Notre-Dame Street West) in Montreal.

Yahoo News Canada will broadcast live coverage of the funeral from Global News here.

The funeral ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Notre-Dame Basilica of in Montréal. Prior to the ceremony, a funeral cortege, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) mounted escort, a Canadian Armed Forces escort and guard of honour, the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, and RCMP pallbearers, will make its way to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal.

The ceremony will feature religious components led by The Most Reverend Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montréal, concelebrated by Miguel Castellanos, PSS, rector of Notre-Dame Basilica and Reverend Monsignor Francis Coyle, CSS, pastor of Saint Patrick’s Basilica. This will include prayers, readings, hymns and a communion.

Eulogies will be offered by:

Caroline Mulroney

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Pierre Karl Péladeau

Wayne Gretzky

James Baker

Jean Charest

Musical interludes will be performed by:

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

OSM Chorus

The Tenors

Marc Hervieux

Marie-Josée Lord

Elizabeth Theodora Lapham, granddaughter of Brian Mulroney

A 19-gun salute will be set off at the end of the ceremony from the Clock Tower Pier in Old Port of Montreal

What honours come with state funerals?

• The Government of Canada half-masted the National Flag of Canada on the Peace Tower and all federal buildings and establishments in Canada, from February 29 until sunset on the day of the funeral, March 23, 2024.

• Federal state funerals in Canada are held to honour and commemorate present or past governors general, present or past prime ministers, and sitting members of the Ministry. In addition, any eminent Canadian may be offered a state funeral at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

If you wish to offer condolences:

• In lieu of flowers, those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University or to the Carrefour international Brian-Mulroney at Université Laval.

Source: Canadian Heritage