Celine Dion speaks for first time since husband's funeral

Celine Dion looks on as the casket of her husband Rene Angelil is taken away. Photo / AP

Celine Dion has spoken out publicly for the first time since her husband, Rene Angelil, was laid to rest.

Dion mourned her spouse at his funeral on January 22 at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica - the church where she and Rene married in 1994.

Angelil's funeral service was broadcast nationally and Dion says grieving with millions of people helped her cope with the sadness of saying goodbye to her husband of more than two decades.

The widowed musician shared her gratitude for the support of other mourners in a statement published in French on her website on Friday.

The English translation reads: "We thank from the bottom of our heart all the people who have expressed their love for Rene during these trying times. Your testimony and your support helped us, more than you can imagine to take this step and say our farewells.

"Thank you also to the Government of Quebec for holding a national funeral, as well as to the many individuals and organisations who worked to provide a final tribute to the height of the man he was."

Dion signed off with her own name and that of her sons with Angelil, Rene-Charles, 15, and five-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson, and his three children from previous relationships.

Angelil lost his battle with cancer in Henderson, Nevada, on 14 January, two days ahead of his 74th birthday.

Dion has coped with significant loss in the past month as her brother, Daniel, one of the star's 13 siblings, also lost his battle with cancer on January 16, just two days after her husband's death.

-AAP