As his widow weeps, John McCain’s long journey ends on a grassy hill, near where it all began

McCain has been buried at the US Naval Academy next to his classmate and friend, Admiral Chuck Larson

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In this image provided by the family of John McCain, Jimmy McCain hugs his brother Jack McCain, touching the casket, as Cindy McCain, watches during a burial service for John McCain at the cemetery at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 3:23am, 3 Sep 2018Updated: 7:28am, 3 Sep 2018

John McCain’s final journey ended Sunday on a grassy hill at the US Naval Academy within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future, and alongside a lifelong friend.

A horse-drawn caisson carrying the senator’s casket led a procession of mourners from the academy’s chapel to its cemetery following a private service. The senator’s widow, Cindy, and his children were among those who walked behind the caisson. Joining them were family and friends as well as members of McCain’s Class of 1958, military leaders and academy midshipmen.

About 4pm a flyover of military aircraft honoured the Navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam and held more than five years as a prisoner of war. The burial was private as per the wishes of McCain, the Arizona Republican and 2008 presidential nominee died August 25 from brain cancer at age 81. Photos were released to the media, showing Cindy McCain weeping over the casket.

Vehicles that had carried mourners began leaving the area between 4.30 and 5pm.

Cindy McCain weeps on the casket of husband John McCain during a burial service at the cemetery at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday. Photo: AP

One scheduled speaker at the service, Senator Lindsey Graham, said before the service that he would tell the audience that “nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain, that I bear witness to his commitment to have their back, travel where they go, never let them be forgotten.” Also expected to pay tribute were David Petraeus, a retired general and former CIA director, and McCain’s son Jack.