The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in the central Abruzzo region current stands at 289.
An official day of mourning for the victims is being observed in Italy on Friday and a solemn funeral will be held in the capital of Abruzzo, L'Aquila, which will be broadcast live on Italian state and private TV.
The funeral will be celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone and L'Aquila Archbishop Msgr Giuseppe Molinari.
Pope Benedict XVI has also sent his personal secretary, Father Georg Gaenswein, and the secretary of the Italian Bishop's Conference (CEI), Msgr Mariano Crociata, to represent the Church.
The pope himself intends to visit Abruzzo some time after Easter.
A number of business and artisans' associations and nationwide supermarket chains announced they would suspend activity for the duration of the ceremony.
Representing the state will be President Giorgio Napolitano, Premier Silvio Berlusconi, Senate Speaker Renato Schifani and House Speaker Gianfranco Fini, while leading members of both government and opposition parties will also attend.
A total of 150 coffins have been brought to the Finance Guard barracks where the funeral will be held.
Following the Catholic Mass, an Islamic funeral ceremony will be held for the six Muslim quake victims, including two Palestinians.
All bishops from the Abruzzo and Molise regions will attend the funeral along with over 100 priests and a 20-member choir.
