BOSTON — The late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was hailed last night as a loving father, tireless friend and compassionate leader during an emotional remembrance ceremony that mixed joyful tales with tears of mourning.

There was a moving rendition of "The Impossible Dream," a tribute film by famed director Ken Burns and the revelation that Kennedy performed as a hip-swiveling, song-belting Elvis impersonator at a staff Christmas party.

"He was awful, in my opinion," joked Sen. Orrin Hatch, a conservative Utah Republican and teetotaling Mormon bishop who nonetheless became a close friend and frequent political ally of the hard-living liberal Irish-Catholic.

One after another for three hours, Senate colleagues, friends he sailed with, friends he fought with, and most of all, friends and family he loved and who loved him back stood before the flag-draped coffin to share memories of the patriarch of the Kennedy clan.

"He'd always remind us that the older we get, the better we were," joked Paul G. Kirk Jr., a former aide who is on the board of directors of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, where the memorial service was held.

Vice President Joe Biden said Kennedy had encouraged him to run for office and urged him on at every turn and every crisis.

"I never saw him petty," he said. "I never saw him act in a small way. As a consequence, he made us all bigger, both his allies and foes."

Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, eldest son of the slain Robert F. Kennedy, spoke of how "Uncle Teddy" helped raise his nephews and nieces after the assassination.

"Every single one of my brothers and sisters needed a father, and we gained one with Uncle Teddy," he said. "He had such a big heart. And he shared that big heart with all of us."

He had a "ferocious sense of humor," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. In his final months, Dodd said, Kennedy especially enjoyed how political opponents who "abhorred his politics were saying the nicest things about him."

"John Kennedy inspired our America," Dodd said. "Robert challenged our America. Our Teddy changed America."

Ted Kennedy died Tuesday evening after a 15-month battle with brain cancer, at age 77. His body had lain in repose at the library since Thursday afternoon. The public had been invited to pay respects there, and tens of thousands did so.

By the time the public viewing closed yesterday afternoon, police said, up to 50,000 people had lined up, some for up to four hours.

A funeral Mass will be held today at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, better known as the Mission Church, in Boston. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and tenor Placido Domingo will perform, and President Obama will deliver the eulogy.

All the living former presidents except George H.W. Bush are expected to attend. Spokesman Jim McGrath said yesterday that the 85-year-old Bush feels his son's presence will "amply and well represent" the family.

Kennedy will be buried this evening near his brothers at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.