John McCain will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol on what would have been his 82nd birthday

Meghan McCain cries as she and her husband Ben Domenech follow behind the casket carrying her father John McCain into the Capital building

The body of the late Senator John McCain arrived at the Arizona State Capitol building in Phoenix on Wednesday, where he was escorted by his family to lie in state as his remains begin their journey to his final resting place at the U.S. Naval Academy.

His flag-draped coffin was carried by members of the Arizona National Guard into the capitol's rotunda on what would have been his 82nd birthday.

Cindy McCain, in her first public appearance since her husband's death, accompanied his body as did the couple's children.

It was an emotional day for the family that saw Cindy McCain kiss her husband's coffin, Meghan McCain break down in tears, and sons Jack and Jimmy - both in full dress uniform - salute their father.

And it started a long journey of remembrance for the McCain family.

The late senator will be memorialized at a service in Phoenix on Thursday before his remains are taken to Washington D.C. On Friday, there will be a ceremony for him at the U.S. Capitol building, where he will lie in state. On Saturday will be his funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and he will be buried Sunday on Hospital Hill at Naval Academy Cemetery.

GOODBYES BEGIN: Cindy McCain rests her cheek on husband John McCain's coffin

MCCAIN FAMILY: Cindy McCain, Jack McCain, Jimmy McCain, Meghan McCain and Bridget McCain at the state Capitol building

Jimmy McCain and Jack McCain salute their father's coffin as Cindy McCain places her hand on her heart

John McCain's body was taken by honor guard into the Capitol

Cindy McCain, escorted by her sons Jack and Jimmy McCain with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and his wife Angela, who greeted the McCain family upon their arrival