Mourners gather in Boston for Kennedy ahead of funeral

Aug 27, 2009, 16:00 GMT

The US national flag flies at half-mast at the US Capitol Building to observe the death of Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, in Washington DC, USA, 26 August 2009. Senator Kennedy died at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts early 26 August 2009 as a result of brain cancer. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Washington - Mourners gathered Thursday to pay last respects to the Democratic Party icon Edward Kennedy, whose body was to lie in repose at his brother John F Kennedy's presidential library in Boston before a final burial at Arlington Cemetery near Washington.

Kennedy's family were to hold a private mass at the senator's home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, at noon (1600 GMT). A motorcade was then to make its way to the state capital by way of a series of sites that played a signifiant role in Kennedy's life.

Edward 'Ted' Kennedy died Tuesday night after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. There was to be a public viewing from Thursday afternoon until Friday morning at the JFK Library and Museum. Kennedy helped build the library in honour of his fallen brother, who was assassinated as president in 1963.

The family is preparing another private memorial service Friday night and funeral mass early Saturday morning, according to a schedule released by the family. Hundreds of dignitaries and all living former presidents were expected to attend, US media reported.

President Barack Obama, whose bid for the White House received a big boost from Kennedy's endorsement in early 2008, is also expected to speak at the Boston funeral.

A burial service will be held Saturday afternoon at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia. Kennedy will be laid to rest there near his two brothers, John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, who was also assassinated while campaigning for the presidency in 1968.

Hailed by Obama on Wednesday as 'the greatest senator of our time,' Kennedy's death leaves a giant void in the chamber that he had served since 1963. Talk has already begun over who would be Kennedy's replacement.

A 2004 state law requires a special election to be held within five months, but one of Kennedy's last wishes was for the law to be changed in order to allow for an interim appointment.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said he was open to the change and said the legislature was 'seriously considering' the idea, which Kennedy suggested in a letter to Patrick and key legislators just a week before his death.

Known as the 'last lion' of the Senate and the voice of his left- leaning Democrats in the chamber, Kennedy's name is attached to countless pieces of legislation over more than four decades including reforms of education, immigration, civil rights and voting rights.

But his life-long goal - overhauling the US health care system - is still struggling its way through Congress. Legislation could be put to a vote in the coming months, and Democrats believe they will need every last vote to get major health care reforms approved.

'Massachusetts needs two voices in the United States Senate, particularly at a time when such profoundly important issues are before the Congress,' Patrick told broadcaster CNN.