Reggae singer Sanchez will bury his mother, Bridgette Anestine Ivey in a funeral service in Canada on April 30.

“Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation at T Little Funeral Home in Cambridge, Canada on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. The funeral service will begin in the funeral home’s chapel at 11:00 am, and will be live-streamed for those unable to join us in person. Burial will follow at Parklawn Cemetery,” a close friend of the family revealed to OBSERVER ONLINE.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Ivey, who resided in Canada, died April 19 at the age of 74 after a battle with cervical cancer. She died leaving behind three sons, and two daughters. Sanchez, whose real name is Kevin Jackson, is her firstborn. She was predeceased by her son Neil.

Sanchez is reportedly too distraught to issue a statement and has not really spoken to anyone since his mother’s passing.

“He is taking it very hard,” the family friend said.

The veteran reggae singer is among the survivors of the late-1980s dancehall movement, and one of the true heavyweights of the reggae genre. He is known for hits such as Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone, Never Dis Di Man, Chronic, Brown Eye Girl and I Can’t Wait.

Sanchez’s cover of Amazing Grace was reportedly his mother’s favourite.