The funeral for Greece’s great singer and songwriter Antonis Vardis took place at the Holy Church of the Nativity of Christ in Paiania. Famous local talents and celebrities were present to pay their last respects at the ceremony. Despite the family’s request for donations to be made to charity instead of wreaths and flowers, there were numerous funeral wreaths including one by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Wreaths were also sent by the most talented singers and musicians from the local scene with big names such as Katy Gray, George and Anna Dalara, Natasha Theodoridou, Angela Dimitriou, Stamatis Gonidis and Pitsa Papadopoulou.   The deceased singer’s partner, Filothei, arrived at the church at 10 a.m. looking distraught, and fighting back the tears before breaking down into sobs. She was accompanied by her daughter, Kallisto. Yannis Vardis, the great singer’s son, arrived soon after, looking daunted by the difficult task of bringing his father’s coffin to the funeral. Throughout the difficult vigil prior to the funeral, the family joined together. Yannis held tightly onto his partner and his sister, all of them huddled close and giving each other courage. Filothei, the singer’s partner was distraught. Yannis arrived with his father’s coffin. Mother and daughter give each other strength. “You’ll always exist through your songs. Have a good journey, my friend,” said the wreath of Greek singer Angela Dimitriou. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, at the NATO summit today, did not neglect to send his condolensces. Local singer Stamatis Gonidis sent his heartfelt respects. The church courtyard was full of wreaths regardless of the family’s call to give to charity instead. Singer Haris Alexiou, one of the most popular singers of Greece, was present to honor the man who had many friends in the music world. Bestselling singer and recording artist Natasha Theodoridou. Young singer Kostas Karafotis showed up to pay tribute to the man who had helped shape the local music scene.