Muhammad Ali's funeral: The memorable moments

The world bade farewell to Muhammad Ali on Friday with all the honor, dignity, and celebration that one of its most famous citizens deserves.

The day began with a procession through the memorable sites of Ali's life in Louisville, Kentucky, concluding at the city's historic Cave Hill Cemetery. The afternoon continued with a series of readings and prayers before a crowd of 15,000 at the KFC Yum! Center. Amid the moments of triumph, sorrow, and celebration, the eulogies and the hallelujahs, a few moments stood out.

The funeral procession: Ali’s fans lined much of the 23-mile route from the A.D. Porter Funeral Home to Cave Hill Cemetery. They chanted his name and threw rose petals at his hearse as the 16-limousine motorcade drove through the streets of downtown Louisville. In a time when racial strife dominates the national conversation, Louisvillians both black and white stood shoulder to shoulder in the heat to honor their favorite native son.

Ali's childhood home: The procession wound through narrow residential streets as it went past his childhood home at 3302 Grand Avenue, now a museum. Crowds stood five deep, chanting "Ali! Ali!" as the motorcade wound past. Ali's family members rolled down windows and waved to the crowd as Ali took one last trip past his home.

Ali laid to rest: Muhammad Ali was laid to rest shortly after noon Eastern Time at Cave Hill, a historic cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places. Ali had selected his burial plot more than a decade ago, and was laid to rest under a headstone that simply reads, ALI. In keeping with Muslim tradition, Ali was buried on his side, facing east toward Mecca.

Mike Tyson: A late addition to the proceedings, Tyson canceled other commitments to fly to Louisville and serve as a pallbearer. Tyson had said he was unsure he would be able to handle the emotions of the event, but decided to attend and stand beside other pallbearers including Will Smith and Lennox Lewis.

The chants of "Ali, Ali:" Chants of Ali's last name broke out multiple times during the memorial service. Had they not been quieted, it didn't take much to think they could have gone on for minutes instead of seconds.

The interfaith display at the memorial service: Ali's funeral included contributions from representatives of multiple religions. Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and more were all present. It was an inspiring display that shows we truly can all get along. And we may have more in common with each other than we realize.

Rabbi Michael Lerner's speech: Lerner, the editor of Tikkun, a progressive interfaith Jewish magazine, wasn't afraid to be political. He said "We will not tolerate politicians or anyone else putting down Muslims and blaming Muslims for a few people" in his opening remarks.

He wasn't done, either. As you can imagine which presidential candidate he referred to with those comments, Lerner used the pronoun "she" when referring to the United States' next president (Hillary Clinton). As Lerner did that, the camera panned to President Bill Clinton, who had a big smile on his face.

While some people may be surprised at the politicism, Ali didn't shy away from delving into the political realm throughout his entire life.

Ambassador Attallah Shabazz: The oldest daughter of Malcom X and Betty Shabazz, Attallah became emotional when speaking of Ali at the service.

"Love is a mighty thing. Devotion is a mighty thing," Shabazz said. "And truth always reigns. Having Muhammad Ali in my life somehow sustained my dad's breath for me just a little while longer. 51 years longer, until now."

Valerie Jarrett: The senior advisor to President Barack Obama, Jarrett spoke on behalf of the Obamas. The first family wasn't in attendance at Ali's funeral as their older daughter Malia graduated from high school on Friday.

Lonnie Ali: Ali's widow thanked the support of millions around the world and those in attendance. She also referenced, as many had, the bond between Ali and his hometown.

"Muhammad never stopped loving Louisville, and we know Louisville loves Muhammad," Lonnie Ali said.

She also spoke of the challenges Ali faced throughout his life.

"He wanted us to use his life and his death as a teaching moment for young people, for his country and the world. In effect he wanted us to remind people who are suffering, that he had seen the face of injustice. That he grew up in a segregation and that during his early life he was not free to be who he wanted to be. But he never became embittered enough to quit or engage in violence."

Billy Crystal: Crystal told the story about how he and Ali became friends and relayed a great memory from Howard Cosell's funeral.

Crystal, who met Ali because of his impression of the champion and broadcaster, was with Ali at Cosell's funeral.

"I sat next to him at Howard Cosell's funeral. A very somber day to be sure," Crystal said. "Closed casket was on the stage, Muhammad and I were sitting somewhere over there next to each other. And he quietly whispered to me 'Little brother, do you think he's wearing his hairpiece?'"

"So I said 'I don't think so.' 'Well then how will God recognize him?' [Ali responded]."

"So I said 'Champ, once he opens his mouth, God will know."

 Bryant Gumbel: The broadcaster spoke of Ali's transformation within the public eye.

"Has any man ever seen a greater arc to his life? What does it tell you of a man, any man, that he can go from being viewed as one of his country's most polarizing figures to arguably its most beloved. And to do so without changing his nature or for a second, compromising his principles"

Bill Clinton: The former president gave the final eulogy and started off with an imagined quip from Ali.

"I can just hear Muhammad saying now 'Well I thought I should be eulogized by at least one president. And by making you last in a long, long, long line, I guaranteed you a standing ovation."

Clinton also talked about his friendship with Ali and called him a "universal soldier for our common humanity."

"I will always think of Muhammad as a truly free man of faith. And being a man of faith, he realized he would never be in full control of his life. Something like Parkinson's could come along. But being free he realized that life still was open to choices. It is the choices that Muhammad Ali made that have brought us all here today in honor and love."