Zachary Quinto gave an "absolutely eloquent" speech at Leonard Nimoy's funeral.

Rabbi John L. Rosove, who delivered the eulogy and is a cousin of Nimoy's widow, Susan Bay Nimoy, said: "He said he was very trepidatious about stepping into the role of young Spock, [but] that Leonard was always gracious and helpful to him to understand what he was doing."

The 83-year-old actor, who played the character for 40 years, died at his home in Bel Air, California on Friday morning (27.02.15) with "everyone that he loved the most around him" after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rosove also told PEOPLE.com: "When he passed, he was ready. [Susan] told him when he couldn't respond, 'Lenny, I love you. You can go. It's okay.' He smiled, and then he died. I think he saw light and he was beamed up."

The star "absolutely adored" his wife and they "were meant to be."

His friend added: "She brought him out of darkness. They would talk deeply about everything. They just opened each other's hearts and were really there for each other."

Director J.J. Abrams and Chris Pine were also among the 300 mourners at the funeral.