Stephen Hawking memorial service open to public at Westminster Abbey

Stephen Hawking's memorial service will be open to the public at Westminster Abbey next month.

Up to 1,000 tickets will be available in a ballot for the special service on June 15, during which the award-winning scientist's ashes will be interred between Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Stephen Hawking was considered one of the greatest physicists in the world. Hawking.com

The family said they were grateful for allowing Professor Hawking 'such a distinguished final resting place'.

The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said the event would celebrate 'not only his remarkable achievements as a scientist, but also his character and endurance through his years living with a devastating illness'.

After the service Westminster Abbey will open its doors to allow the public to pay their respects at Hawking's grave.

It comes after a smaller funeral for Hawking, who was considered one of the world's greatest physicists, was held near his home at the university church, Great St Mary's, in Cambridge, on March 31.

Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking in the film about his life, The Theory of Everything, spoke at the service alongside several others.

You can apply for tickets for the Westminster Abbey thanksgiving service at stephenhawkinginterment.com.

The ballot closes at midnight on May 15.

News
What do we know about Simon of Cyrene?
What do we know about Simon of Cyrene?

Easter may have passed, but some figures in the story stay with us long after the day itself. One of those is Simon of Cyrene - a man who appears for only a moment, says nothing, and then disappears. And yet, his story carries lessons we can hold onto all year round.

There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed
There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed

There are good reasons to doubt that Britain is experiencing a Christian revival today – but that does not mean it is dying out.

Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest
Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest

A pastor has returned to street preaching in Bristol city centre just over four months after he was arrested for his comments on Islam and transgender ideology. 

The biblical backstory of Iran
The biblical backstory of Iran

Iran is back in the headlines. The word “Iran” does not appear in the Bible, but the names of preceding peoples and empires occupying that land today are written into the biblical narrative. This is the story …