Vice President Joseph Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and numerous other lawmakers are expected to trek to Alaska for the Wednesday funeral of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R).

According to Republican and Democratic aides, the trio is expected to be part of a significant contingent of politicians and lawmakers who will attend the service in Anchorage.

Biden, who has said he and Stevens became close after they both lost their first wives in accidents, is expected to speak at the funeral.

Mourners began paying their respects Monday at a public viewing at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Anchorage. The funeral will take place Wednesday at the Anchorage Baptist Temple.

Stevens, 86, died last week in a plane crash in rural Alaska. His family has asked that well-wishers make donations to the North to the Future Foundation.