NEW YORK (AP) — As Mayor Michael Bloomberg sees it, no mayor has ever "embodied the spirit of New York City" like Ed Koch (kahch) did.
Bloomberg spoke at today's funeral in New York for a man he described as "brash and irreverent" -- saying he must be "beaming" from all the attention created by his death.
Koch died on Friday of congestive heart failure at the age of 88.
In keeping with his take-charge nature, he had choreographed his own funeral. In his final days, a former aide says, Koch wanted to know everything about the planning for the event.
She also says Koch insisted on being buried in a cemetery near a subway stop, so New Yorkers could come and visit his grave.
Former President Bill Clinton, representing President Barack Obama at the funeral, said Koch had "a big brain" and "a bigger heart."
After the funeral, Bloomberg and former mayors Rudolph Giuliani and David Dinkins held their hands to their hearts, as police helicopters flew overhead and bagpipes wailed.
Koch's tombstone says he "fiercely" defended New York City, and that he loved its people and America.
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189-w-36-(Warren Levinson, AP correspondent, with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and excerpt from Koch video)--The air was full of serious and funny remembrances at the New York City funeral of former Mayor Ed Koch. AP correspondent Warren Levinson reports. ((Koch is pronounced KAHCH)) (4 Feb 2013)
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176-a-08-(New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in eulogy for former New York Mayor Ed Koch (kahch))-"city's quintessential mayor"-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says Ed Koch was one of a kind. (4 Feb 2013)
<<CUT *176 (02/04/13)>> 00:08 "city's quintessential mayor"
178-r-35-(Sound of organ and applause, at the funeral for former New York City Mayor Ed Koch)--Sound of mourners applauding and the Temple Emanu-El organ playing 'New York, New York' as Ed Koch's casket was borne out of the synagogue. (4 Feb 2013)
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APPHOTO NYSW125: Former President of the United States Bill Clinton talks with supporters and signs autographs after the funeral of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch in New York, Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. Koch was remembered as the quintessential New Yorker during a funeral that frequently elicited laughter, recalling his famous one-liners and amusing antics in the public eye. Koch died Friday of congestive heart failure at age 88. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (4 Feb 2013)
<<APPHOTO NYSW125 (02/04/13)>>
APPHOTO NYSW113: A casket containing the body of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch is loaded into a hearse while city employees, politicians, media and others look on after his funeral in New York, Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. Koch was remembered as the quintessential New Yorker during a funeral that frequently elicited laughter, recalling his famous one-liners and amusing antics in the public eye. Koch died Friday of congestive heart failure at age 88. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (4 Feb 2013)
<<APPHOTO NYSW113 (02/04/13)>>
