Thousands line the streets to pay tribute at funeral of Professor Stephen Hawking

Thousands of mourners have lined the streets to pay tribute to renowned theoretical physicist Stehen Hawking who died peacefully at his home on March 14.

Hawking, who died on March 14 at the age of 76, was famously an atheist but his children Lucy, Robert and Tim chose St Mary the Great, the church of Cambridge’s prestigious university, to say their farewell.

‘Our father’s life and work meant many things to many people, both religious and non-religious. So, the service will be both inclusive and traditional, reflecting the breadth and diversity of his life,’ they said.

As they left the church the love they had for their beloved father was clear to see but the emotion on their faces and the tears that flowed down their cheeks.

Although it is a private service, with around 500 of his family and friend expected to attend, the crowds have gathered to watch the funeral cortege.

A private reception is to follow at Trinity College.

As Professor Hawking’s coffin was carried by six porters from the college, a round of applause broke out from the assembled crowd.

Many of the crowd spoke of how they wanted to pay their respects not only to a wonderful scientist but also to a wonderful man who inspired many people especially those living with disabilities.

Emma Ball, 25, of Cambridge, said: ‘I thought it was beautiful.’

She added: ‘He’s such an iconic guy and I thought I’d come and join everybody and watch.’

Vivienne Cairns, who was also in the crowds, said she had lived in Cambridge for 40 years, adding: ‘Today I had to come.’

She said of the moment applause broke out: ‘I thought it was very appropriate for the people of Cambridge and their affinity with his work and admiration for him.’

The flags of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, Trinity Hall, Cambridge and University College, Oxford are flying at half-mast in honour of Professor Hawking.

Tributes poured in from around the world upon Hawking’s death, from the Queen to NASA, reflecting his huge impact as a physicist and an inspiration, in his refusal to give up in the face of his crippling motor neurone disease.

An arrangement of white lilies, to represent the universe, and another of white roses as the polar star was placed on top of his solid oak coffin.

As he arrived, the church bells tolled 76 times, once for each year of his life.

His first wife Jane Hawking and their three children arrived in a car just after their father.

Eddie Redmayne, who was among the first mourners to arrive at the church, read Ecclesiastes 3.1-11 at the service.

He played Professor Hawking in The Theory of Everything, a movie about his life, a role for which he was awarded and Academy award.

Felicity Jones, who played his wife, Jane Hawking in the adaptation, was not far behind alongside her fiancé Charles Guard.

Eulogies were delivered by Robert Hawking, Prof Hawking’s eldest child, and Professor Fay Dowker, a former student of Prof Hawking.

The service was officiated by the Reverend Dr Cally Hammond, Dean of Cambridge University’s Gonville and Caius College, where Prof Hawking was a fellow for 52 years.

During the service, the Choir performed Beyond the Night Sky, which lyrics include quotes from A Brief History of Time.

It was commissioned by Gonville & Caius as a gift for Professor Hawking for his 75th birthday in 2017.

Professor Hawking said the music captured the vastness of space, and a sense of wonder at the universe and the earth.

He said: ‘It takes us all on a mental journey around the universe.

‘It puts into lyrical form one of my quotes: Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist.

‘Perhaps I can be forgiven for saying that tonight I am wondering no longer.’

Professor Hawking’s ashes will be interred in Westminster Abbey in June, next to Sir Isaac Newton.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: ‘It is entirely fitting that the remains of Professor Stephen Hawking are to be buried in the Abbey, near those of distinguished fellow scientists.

‘Sir Isaac Newton was buried in the Abbey in 1727. Charles Darwin was buried beside Isaac Newton in 1882.

‘We believe it to be vital that science and religion work together to seek to answer the great questions of the mystery of life and of the universe.’

Professor Hawking’s children said they had chosen to hold the funeral in Cambridge in recognition that it is ‘the city that he loved so much and which loved him.’

In a statement Professor Hawking’s children said: ‘On behalf of our whole family we want to express our huge gratitude for all the wonderful tributes to our father and to those who have sent us messages of condolence.

‘Our father lived and worked in Cambridge for over 50 years. He was an integral and highly recognisable part of the university and the city.

‘For this reason, we have decided to hold his funeral in the city that he loved so much and which loved him.

‘Our father’s life and work meant many things to many people, both religious and non-religious. So, the service will be both inclusive and traditional, reflecting the breadth and diversity of his life.

‘We would like to thank Gonville & Caius College, the University of Cambridge and Trinity College, Cambridge for their assistance with our father’s funeral service.’

Several thousand people have visited Gonville & Caius since Professor Hawking’s death to sign a book of condolence.

MORE: Eddie Redmayne arrives to pay tribute at Stephen Hawking’s funeral

MORE: NHS to stop prescribing paracetamol and other ‘over the counter’ remedies