Thousands line streets in Cambridge for Stephen Hawking's funeral

Actor Eddie Redmayne, who played renowned physicist in 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything, gives reading during private service

Crowds lined the streets of Cambridge today for the funeral of Professor Stephen Hawking at a church near the university college that was his academic home for more than 50 years.

Actor Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking in the 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything, gave a reading during a service at the University Church of St Mary the Great.

The renowned British physicist died peacefully at his Cambridge home on 14 March at the age of 76. The cosmologist had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in his twenties.

About 500 family, friends and colleagues attended Saturday’s private funeral, followed by a reception at Trinity College.

Queen guitarist Brian May, comedian Dara Ó Briain, and model Lily Cole were among those pictured entering the church.

Crowds lined the streets around the church, which can seat up to 1,200 people and is near to the University of Cambridge’s Gonville and Caius College, where Hawking was a fellow for 52 years.

His coffin was carried by six porters from the college, all in traditional uniform including bowler hats.

The porters, many of whom knew Hawking and provided support when he visited for events, were asked by his family to be pallbearers.

Head porter Russ Holmes walked ahead of the coffin as it was carried into the church. He wore his formal college uniform of top hat and tails, and carry a silver-topped ebony cane of office.

Redmayne gave a Bible reading of Ecclesiastes 3.1-11, entitled “Everything has its time”. Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees, also delivered a reading, while Hawking’s eldest child Robert and former student Professor Fay Dowker gave eulogies.

The service was officiated by the Reverend Dr Cally Hammond, dean of Hawking’s college.

Addressing the funeral congregation, Prof Faye Dowker said in her eulogy: “Stephen shared his work and his zest for the fundamental questions it addressed with wide audiences.

“He inspired people with the excitement and importance of pure scientific enquiry and was admired and revered for his devotion, as a scholar, to the pursuit of knowledge.

“This high regard was demonstrated wherever in the world he gave a public lecture: the auditorium was always packed, the atmosphere electric and the applause thunderous.

“Stephen was my teacher, mentor and friend.

“I, like many who knew and loved him, had come to think of him as immortal and our sorrow is tinged with a feeling of disbelief that he is no longer here.

“But his influence and legacy will live forever.”

In a statement, Hawking’s children Lucy, Robert and Tim said: “On behalf of our whole family we want to express our huge gratitude to 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 and Caius College, the University of Cambridge and Trinity College, Cambridge for their assistance with our father’s funeral service.”

Hawking’s ashes will be interred close to the remains of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey on 15 June.

A book of condolence for Hawking remains open at Gonville and Caius College, and an online book has also been set up.