Stephen Hawking’s ashes to rest near graves of Darwin, Newton

A spokesman for the abbey said the ashes will be placed there later this year at a Thanksgiving service.

The Dean of Westminster Rev. John Hall said it is “entirely fitting” that Hawking’s remains will be placed in the abbey “near those of distinguished fellow scientists.”

He said Newton was buried in the abbey in 1727 and Charles Darwin was buried there in 1882.

Hawking, who died last week at the age of 76, was one of the world’s most accomplished physicists despite suffering the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.