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. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
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LONDON (AP) - Stephen Hawking will take 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 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.
Afterward, Hawking's words, set to music by Greek composer Vangelis, will 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."
Guests at the service included 1,000 members of the public selected by ballot.
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
The Associated Press