section_path: Biography/Death and funeral
section_name: Death and funeral
paragraph_text: Death and funeral
  
  In 1882, he was diagnosed with what was called " angina pectoris " which then meant coronary thrombosis and disease of the heart. At the time of his death, the physicians diagnosed "anginal attacks", and "heart-failure"; there has since been scholarly speculation about his life-long health issues.
  
  He died at Down House on 19 April 1882. His last words were to his family, telling Emma, "I am not the least afraid of death — Remember what a good wife you have been to me — Tell all my children to remember how good they have been to me". While she rested, he repeatedly told Henrietta and Francis, "It's almost worthwhile to be sick to be nursed by you".
  
  He had expected to be buried in St Mary's churchyard at Downe, but at the request of Darwin's colleagues, after public and parliamentary petitioning, William Spottiswoode (President of the Royal Society) arranged for Darwin to be honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey, close to John Herschel and Isaac Newton. The funeral, held on Wednesday 26 April, was attended by thousands of people, including family, friends, scientists, philosophers and dignitaries.