What to Know
- McCain was honored Friday with a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.
- On Saturday, thousands of people attended his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
- McCain will be remembered during a private ceremony Sunday before he is laid to rest at the Naval Academy Cemetery.
Sen. John McCain will be honored with a series of ceremonies in the Washington, D.C., area before he is laid to rest Sunday. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects both at the U.S. Capitol and along Constitution Avenue.
The longtime senator and Vietnam War veteran died Aug. 25, days before he would have turned 82. The schedule of local memorial events and road closures are below.
Road Closures:
The following roads will close beginning Thursday at 11 p.m. and lasting through Saturday.
- East Capitol Street NE/SE, from Second Street NE/SE to First Street NE/SE
- First Street, NE/SE, from Constitution Ave. NE to Independence Ave. SE
Thursday: Arrival at Joint Base Andrews
McCain's body arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and he was received with ceremony by Armed Forces Body Bearers.
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Friday: U.S. Capitol Ceremony and Lying in State
On Friday, McCain was honored with a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda at 11 a.m. Speakers included Vice President Mike Pence, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
Following the ceremony, the public lined up to pay their respects as McCain lied in state in the rotunda, an honor only 30 other people have had.
A Capitol Police Guard of Honor will remain on duty overnight.
Saturday: Procession and Funeral
Under a cloudy sky on Saturday morning, McCain's body departed the Capitol via motorcade with the U.S. Capitol by Armed Forces Body Bearers.
En route to Washington National Cathedral, the motorcade paused at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where McCain's widow, Cindy, lay a ceremonial wreath honoring whose died during the Vietnam War.
Members of the public wishing to pay their respects to McCain lined the procession route along Constitution Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.
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McCain's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral attracted a number of senators, congressmen, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and three former presidents and their wives: Bill and Hillary Clinton, George and Barbara Bush and Barack and Michelle Obama. The funeral was closed to the public and was standing room only. Ahead of the service, about 2,500 invited guests were expected to attend.
Obama and Bush delivered eulogies, and McCain's daughter Meghan didn't shy away from politics in her emotional, tearful remembrance.
The service struck a patriotic tone with musical selections including "America the Beautiful" and the Navy Hymn.
Two more of McCain's children, Jimmy and Sidney, gave readings. Pallbearers included former Vice President Joe Biden, actor Warren Beatty, Bloomberg founder and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and several other politicians and friends.
Sunday: Private Service and Burial
On Sunday afternoon, McCain will be remembered during a private ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel before he is laid to rest at the Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.
McCain's website said the senator's family and friends, the Naval Academy Class of 1958, naval and military leaders, and the Brigade of Midshipmen have been invited to the ceremony.
