National funeral for Jean-Pierre Ferland on June 1

Photo: Les Francofolies de Montréal Jean-Pierre Ferland in concert, December 20, 2004

Florence Morin-Martel

Published yesterday at 4:10 p.m. Updated yesterday at 5:37 p.m.

• Quebec

The national funeral in tribute to singer-songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland, who died on April 27, will take place on June 1 at Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral , in Montreal.

In a press release sent Wednesday, the office of Prime Minister François Legault confirmed “the holding of a national funeral in honor of this great Quebecer.” Le fleurdelisé on the main tower of the Parliament building will also be half-masted on this date, “as a sign of collective mourning”, indicated Mr. Legault's office.

The places reserved for the public for the ceremony which will begin at 11 a.m. will however be limited, it was clarified, adding that more details will soon be provided on this subject. The population will, however, be able to come and say goodbye to this artist who died at the age of 89, during his exhibition in the ardent chapel. This will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 31, at the Maisonneuve theater at Place des Arts.

Those who wish to give a testimony to the family of Mr. Ferland will now be able to do so online, thanks to a register of condolences.

The day after the death of the singer-songwriter, François Legault highlighted the legacy of this “great builder of Quebec song”, to whom we owe in particular the legendary album Jaune. Many of his songs have crossed generations and left their mark on people's minds, such as Le petit roi, Une chance que on se or The cat from the artists' café.

A rain of Tributes flooded social networks upon the announcement of his death.