An open-air ceremony was called off when heavy snow storms prevented some relatives from reaching the remote village in northern Quebec.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien was also expected to attend the funeral.

Because of the weather, no new date has been set.

Four adults and five children died when tons of snow crashed into a school where a New Year's Eve party was being held.

The avalanche in Kangiqsualujjuaq, 1,530km (950 miles) north-east of Montreal, injured 25 others. Two remain in critical condition.

Inquiry on the causes

Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard has called an inquiry to find out whether the disaster could have been prevented.

Mr Bouchard, who toured the village on Sunday, announced a public inquiry into the avalanche. It will focus on a 1995 report that recommended steel snow barriers be built around the hill to avert an avalanche threat. No barriers were ever erected.

The school was built roughly 18ft (5.5m) from the base of the hill, against the advice of safety experts.

Quebec police said several witnesses had spoken about celebratory gunshots that were fired just outside the school at midnight - about 90 minutes before the avalanche - to welcome in 1999.