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Celine Dion joined fans of René Angélil’s as they paid their final respects during a visitation on Thursday at Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal.

The 47-year-old performer hid her face behind a black veil but it was clear she was distraught and had tears in her eyes in a video shared by Global News.

Angélil died of throat cancer at the age of 73 on January 14. His funeral will be held on Friday at the same basilica.

Despite her grief, the star told People magazine that she was thankful to those who have kept her family in their thoughts at this tragic time.

Speaking of those who lined up to pay their respectsin particular, Celine told People: ‘The support we’ve received has been such a blessing.’

Also at the service was her mother Thérèse, 88, and René’s brother André his sons Patrick and Jean-Pierrem, daughter Anne-Marie Angelil as well as Celine’s eldest René-Charles, aged 14, who is namked after his late father.

Several times the star broke down in tears and used a white handkerchief to help her out.

Dion was dressed appropriately in a black coat over a black dress with opaque tights and pumps. She was seen with her veil both on and off. The beauty’s red tresses were pulled back into a ladylike bun.

Hundreds of people attended the service. It is believed Angélil’s adult children from a previous relationship – Anne-Marie, Patrick and Jean-Pierre – were also there.

People magazine shed some light on the state of her mind this week: ‘Her heart is in pieces,’ a source told the publication. ‘There are no words. She’s in extreme grief right now. She’s extremely heartbroken. But she’s putting on a brave face.’

In the last year ‘the singer rarely left her husband’s side’ as he used a feeding tube, People added. ‘He had both good and bad days,’ a source said. ‘Some days he could get up and walk around the room, play with the kids. Some days he was too tired.’

A national funeral for Angélil will be held Friday at the same church beginning at 3 p.m. The flag at the Quebec National Assembly will fly at half-mast.

The funeral will be officiated by the Most Reverend Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, according to the Gazette.

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