• FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012 file photo, British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, Friday June 15, 2018, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton, during a service of thanksgiving for the physicist who died in March 2018. Photo: Matt Dunham, AP / Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Photo: Matt Dunham, AP
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FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012 file photo, British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, Friday June 15, 2018, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton, during a service of thanksgiving for the physicist who died in March 2018. less
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012 file photo, British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest ... more
Photo: Matt Dunham, AP
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The ashes of Professor Stephen Hawking are laid to rest during his memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. (Ben Stansall/PA via AP) less
The ashes of Professor Stephen Hawking are laid to rest during his memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when ... more
Photo: Ben Stansall, AP
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British actor Benedict Cumberbatch speaks during the memorial service for Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Cumberbatch played the part of Hawking in a movie depicting the early years of the scientist. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. (Ben Stansall/PA via AP) less
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch speaks during the memorial service for Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Cumberbatch played the part of Hawking in a movie ... more
Photo: Ben Stansall, AP
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Lucy Hawking lays flowers as the ashes of her father, Professor Stephen Hawking, are laid to rest during his memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. (Ben Stansall/PA via AP) less
Lucy Hawking lays flowers as the ashes of her father, Professor Stephen Hawking, are laid to rest during his memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place ... more
Photo: Ben Stansall, AP
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American theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Kip Thorne speaking at the memorial service for Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. (Ben Stansall/PA via AP) less
American theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Kip Thorne speaking at the memorial service for Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place ... more
Photo: Ben Stansall, AP
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Lucy Hawking speaks during the memorial service for her father, Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists when his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. (Ben Stansall/PA via AP) less
Lucy Hawking speaks during the memorial service for her father, Professor Stephen Hawking, at Westminster Abbey in London, Friday June 15, 2018. Hawking will take his place among Britain's greatest scientists ... more
Photo: Ben Stansall, AP
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LONDON (AP) — Stephen Hawking has taken his place among Britain's greatest scientists with the burial of his ashes in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton.

More than 1,000 people Friday attended a service of thanksgiving for the physicist, who died in March at age 76 after decades of living with motor neuron disease.

The service included readings by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Hawking in a BBC drama, and astronaut Tim Peake.

There were also tributes from Astronomer Royal Martin Rees and Nobel prize winner Kip Thorne.

After the service, Hawking's words, set to music by Greek composer Vangelis, are to be beamed into space from a European Space Agency satellite dish in Spain. Hawking's daughter, Lucy, said the music would be aimed at "the nearest black hole, 1A 0620-00."

The ashes were interred in Scientists' Corner, a section of the Abbey dedicated to those who have made significant breakthroughs.

A memorial stone will be put in place atop the burial spot with the inscription: "Here lies what was mortal of Stephen Hawking 1942 - 2018."

The stone is also inscribed with one of Hawking's most famed equations.

Guests at the service included 1,000 members of the public selected by ballot.

A private funeral service was held in Cambridge in March.