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Thousands mourn Kennedy in Boston Tributes paid at Kennedy memorial
(41 minutes later)
Preparations are under way for the private burial of Edward Kennedy after the two-day public viewing at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library ended.Preparations are under way for the private burial of Edward Kennedy after the two-day public viewing at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library ended.
Some 50,000 people paid their respects before the flag-draped coffin of the long-serving US senator, who died on Tuesday of brain cancer. A memorial service in the style of an Irish wake was held late on Friday for family and friends.
A wake is now being held for family and close friends, described as a "celebration of life". Earlier, some 50,000 people paid their respects before the flag-draped coffin of the long-serving US senator, who died on Tuesday of brain cancer.
President Barack Obama is to deliver a eulogy at his funeral Mass on Saturday.President Barack Obama is to deliver a eulogy at his funeral Mass on Saturday.
He will then be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery near his brothers, former president John and Robert. Senator Kennedy will then be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery near his brothers, former president John and Robert.
Family Mass
Three days of ceremonies to commemorate Mr Kennedy began on Thursday with a private family Mass at the family property in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.Three days of ceremonies to commemorate Mr Kennedy began on Thursday with a private family Mass at the family property in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Death leaves no clear heir In pictures: Kennedy ceremonies
His body was then driven in a long procession to Boston along roads lined with thousands of mourners - some waving American flags, others holding up signs that read "Thank you Teddy".His body was then driven in a long procession to Boston along roads lined with thousands of mourners - some waving American flags, others holding up signs that read "Thank you Teddy".
Senator Kennedy's widow Vicki and other members of the family shook hands with the mourners. class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8223370.stm">Death leaves no clear heir class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8225721.stm">In pictures: Kennedy ceremonies
"We just wanted to pay our respects and say thanks for all he has done," Trisha McLaughlin said. Senator Kennedy's widow, Vicki, and other members of the family shook hands with many of the mourners.
'Extraordinary good' After the public paid their respects in Boston, a three-hour memorial service described as a "celebration of life" began at the JFK library on Friday evening.
After the public paid their respects in Boston, a private memorial service began at the JFK library on Friday evening. Speakers included Vice-President Joe Biden; Senators John McCain, Orrin Hatch, John Kerry and Christopher Dodd; and niece Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F Kennedy.
Also present was Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican governor of California and former Hollywood actor who married into the Kennedy family.
Others at the wake-style event included Sinn Fein leaders Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams, who worked with Senator Kennedy during the Northern Ireland peace process.
After a choral rendition of "God Bless America", family members and friends paid tribute to the senator.
Joseph Kennedy, son of the late Robert Kennedy, joked that the only time he beat his uncle in a sailing race was when the senator's boat started to sink.
Bobby Kennedy Jnr: Edward Kennedy believed that "every individual counted"Bobby Kennedy Jnr: Edward Kennedy believed that "every individual counted"
Scheduled speakers include Vice-President Joe Biden; Senators John McCain, Orrin Hatch, John Kerry and Christopher Dodd; and niece Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F Kennedy. Mr Biden said Senator Kennedy became a "big brother" to him when he joined the senate 36 years ago, and encouraged him to keep his seat after his wife and daughter died in a car accident.
The event is also featuring musical performances and tributes from colleagues.
President Barack Obama is expected to address a funeral Mass for Mr Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston on Saturday, before his burial that evening.President Barack Obama is expected to address a funeral Mass for Mr Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston on Saturday, before his burial that evening.
Mr Kennedy's death on Tuesday prompted a flood of tributes from across the US and around the world.Mr Kennedy's death on Tuesday prompted a flood of tributes from across the US and around the world.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in the Boston Globe newspaper that Mr Kennedy "is rightly mourned as one of America's greatest advocates of social justice... as a great internationalist who inspired social progress in every country."British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in the Boston Globe newspaper that Mr Kennedy "is rightly mourned as one of America's greatest advocates of social justice... as a great internationalist who inspired social progress in every country."
In the US, Mr Kennedy's death has been seen as the end of an era.In the US, Mr Kennedy's death has been seen as the end of an era.
The charismatic senator had long been the leader of one of America's great political dynasties, following the assassinations of his brothers in 1963 and 1968.The charismatic senator had long been the leader of one of America's great political dynasties, following the assassinations of his brothers in 1963 and 1968.
In a televised tribute on Wednesday, Mr Obama said Mr Kennedy had achieved "extraordinary good" and was "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy".In a televised tribute on Wednesday, Mr Obama said Mr Kennedy had achieved "extraordinary good" and was "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy".
But others have noted that his legacy of public service was counter-balanced by heavy drinking in his early years - and the death of a female companion, Mary Jo Kopechne, in 1969 when he drove off a bridge at Chappaquiddick in Massachusetts and fled the scene.But others have noted that his legacy of public service was counter-balanced by heavy drinking in his early years - and the death of a female companion, Mary Jo Kopechne, in 1969 when he drove off a bridge at Chappaquiddick in Massachusetts and fled the scene.