His longtime friend and colleague, former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, began the eulogy, saying the service "is a celebration, and we're going to do it Irish style."

Besides many television journalists, lots of US politicians, including presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, members of Congress, as well as generations of politicians from both parties paid tribute to the beloved host.

Russert's 22-year-old son, Luke, gave the eulogy, remembering that "My dad was my best friend. To explain my bond with my father is utterly impossible to put into words."

A funeral mass at Holy Trinity Church in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood proceeded the memorial.

Russert, who had been host of NBC's Sunday morning interview program "Meet the Press" since 1991, died of heart attack at age 58 while working at his Washington office in preparation for the next edition of his program.

He gained national renown for his tough interviews with powerful politicians of all stripes, for his acumen and passion for politics, his prodigious preparation and for a down-to-earth manner that reflected his upbringing in a blue-collar, Irish Catholic family in Buffalo, N.Y.