Important:

This petition was submitted during the 2017-2019 parliament

Rejected petition Consider giving Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking a state funeral

Stephen Hawking, Discoverer of the Hawking radiation equation recently passed away in his sleep.

More details

Over the years he has contributed a substantial amount to science despite his decades-long health concerns, primarily amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which was first diagnosed when he was 21 years old.
We feel it is only appropriate to acknowledge that lifelong service to the progression of science and inspiring millions of people to pursue a life in S.T.E.M fields by marking the passing of his life with a state funeral.
For more information:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/03/stephen-hawking-legendary-theoretical-physicist-dies-at-76/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/08/model-black-hole-generates-hawking-radiation/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.

The Government and the House of Commons do not have the power to decide that someone should receive a state funeral. You can find out more about this here:

http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN06600

You could start a new petition asking the House of Commons to ask the Queen for a state funeral to be given, and for the House of Commons to provide the money for a state funeral.

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.