Shock as former presidential running mate Sarah Palin is NOT invited to John McCain's funeral

• A friend of the McCain family said 'invitations were not extended' to Sarah Palin
• Sources tell PEOPLE they believe orders came from Cindy, John McCain's wife
• Palin joins President Trump on the do not invite list of prominent politicians 
• The former Alaska governor was McCain's presidential running mate in 2008

John McCain's former presidential running mate Sarah Palin is not invited to the late senator's funeral.  

Friend of the McCain family and fundraiser, Carla Eudy, confirmed to PEOPLE that 'invitations were not extended' to the former Alaska governor to attend the funeral of the highly-praised politician and war hero who died last week of brain cancer at 81.

Palin joins President Trump on the list of politicians who did not make the guest list, while several other longtime staffers were removed from the invite list by Eudy in the days leading up to the service.

DailyMail.com reached out to Sarah Palin without success.   

The news may come as a surprise to Palin, as she had nothing but praise for the late senator in a recent exclusive interview with DailyMailTV.

A friend of the McCain family confirmed 'invitations were not extended' to Sarah Palin for the late senator's funeral 

Cindy McCain rests her cheek on husband John McCain's coffin Wednesday

A source close to the McCain family tells PEOPLE: 'My guess is, it came from Cindy,' in regards to who ordered amendments the guest list.

'She is very protective of John's memory and legacy. She's also a grieving widow. I think she wants to get through this as best she can,' they added.  

McCain 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.

His funeral service Saturday will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and he will be buried Sunday on Hospital Hill at Naval Academy Cemetery.

McCain's funeral will take place at the National Cathedral with a parade of bold-faced names giving tributes and carrying his coffin.

His daughter Megan will give the first tribute.

She will be followed by former Sen. Joe Lieberman, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former President George W. Bush, and former President Barack Obama.

Readings will be done by two of McCain's closest friends in the Senate: Sen. Lindsay Graham and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte. 

'Two names you won't see on the guest list: Trump and Palin,'  a Capitol Hill source with knowledge of funeral plans for McCain tells PEOPLE. 

In McCain's memoir The Restless Wave, published in April, he revealed he wished he had chosen Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman as his VP instead of Palin. 

Speaking to DailyMailTV, Palin said that she was never aware of McCain's sentiments.  

Sources tell PEOPLE they believe orders came from Cindy, John McCain's wife

Palin tweeted in remembrance of Sen. McCain after news of his death broke 

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail TV, Palin, 54, and her husband Todd, 53, reflected on her time as McCain's running mate during the 2008 presidential election

She will be followed by former Sen. Joe Lieberman, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former President George W. Bush, and former President Barack Obama.

Readings will be done by two of McCain's closest friends in the Senate: Sen. Lindsay Graham and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte. 

'Two names you won't see on the guest list: Trump and Palin,'  a Capitol Hill source with knowledge of funeral plans for McCain tells PEOPLE. 

In McCain's memoir The Restless Wave, published in April, he revealed he wished he had chosen Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman as his VP instead of Palin. 

Speaking to DailyMailTV, Palin said that she was never aware of McCain's sentiments.  

Sources tell PEOPLE they believe orders came from Cindy, John McCain's wife

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail TV, Palin, 54, and her husband Todd, 53, reflected on her time as McCain's running mate during the 2008 presidential election

The two had kept in touch over the years after their failed campaign despite their differences, Palin said.

'We've always had great conversations- and we've been able to agree to disagree, certainly on political issues.

'He was gracious in those situations too where he knew that I wanted more domestic oil development in certain areas. He hadn't.

'But when we talk about it we can see each other's point of view and I'm not giving an inch on it, and he wasn't giving an inch on it, but we got along anyway.'

Despite the bumps along the road, the Palins said they will remember the personal aspects of her run with McCain, including his 'big heart' and spending time with his family.'

The former Alaska governor tweeted after news of his death broke.

'Sen. John McCain was a maverick and a fighter, never afraid to stand for his beliefs. John never took the easy path in life - and through sacrifice and suffering he inspired others to serve something greater than self,' she wrote. 'John McCain was my friend. I will remember the good times. My family and I send prayers for Cindy and the McCain family.' 

 The former Alaska governor was McCain's running mate in 2008