More than 1,000 people packed St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington Saturday to mourn the loss of Beau Biden.
Pews overflowed with people, many standing along the back right side of the church.
Members of Congress, President Obama, as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton were among those remembering Beau Biden alongside Vice President Joe Biden and his family.
Obama delivered one of the eulogies, saying the Vice President Joe Biden’s eldest son set an example for everyone in making lives better for the next generation.
“Beau Biden brought to his work a mighty heart. He brought to his family a mighty heart," said Obama. "What a good man. What an original.”
Obama also praised Biden’s careers in public service and the military, as well as his drive as Delaware’s attorney general to prosecute pedophiles and child abusers.
“He did in 46 years what most of us couldn’t do in 146. He left nothing in the tank. He was a man who lead a life where the means were as important as the ends,” Obama said.
Many Delawareans told stories of being comforted in the time of need after news of his death broke.
His brother, Hunter, said that his first memory was of Beau holding his hand in a hospital room as they recovered from the car crash that killed their mother and baby sister.
“Beau’s was the hand that everyone reached for in their time of need," said Biden. "Beau’s was the hand that was reaching for yours before you even had to ask. That is his story, not his accomplishments and they were many.”
His devotion to his family was notorious, often talking about his children, his wife and his siblings at public events and political dinners.
Ashley Biden says Beau played a pivotal role in the family dynamic.
“He was the constant anchor for me, my brothers, our father and our mother. He was our protector, our mediator, the captain of our lives.”
Those attending the service started lining up around 7 a.m., with lines stretching along West 10th Street.
Many gathered behind barricades in front of the church or stood on their front porches to get a final glimpse of Biden.
Delaware State Police Pipes and Drums Unit and officers on horseback escorted Biden’s hearse up West 9th Street before his casket was brought into St. Anthony’s.
Coldplay front man Chris Martin sang at the funeral, along with several others.
Biden, first elected in 2006, served two terms as attorney general.
He eventually developed health problems, suffering a mild stroke in 2010. Doctors at a Houston, Texas cancer hospital removed a small lesion from his brain in August 2013 after feeling weak during a family vacation.
Biden is survived by his wife, Hallie, daughter Natalie, 11, and son Hunter, 9.
President Obama delivers a eulogy at the funeral of Beau Biden:
