It’s been announced that Stephen Hawking’s ashes will be interred in Westminster Abbey next to the grave of Isaac Newton after a funeral service in Cambridge. Charles Darwin is buried nearby.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: "It is entirely fitting that the remains of Professor Stephen Hawking are to be buried in the Abbey, near those of distinguished fellow scientists.
"Sir Isaac Newton was buried in the Abbey in 1727. Charles Darwin was buried beside Isaac Newton in 1882."
He added: "We believe it to be vital that science and religion work together to seek to answer the great questions of the mystery of life and of the universe."
A thanksgiving service for the life of Stephen Hawking will be held at the Abbey later this year. That and the burial place are two of the highest honors afforded to deceased scientists and authors.
You may notice I have avoided using “Sir” when referring to Newton. This is because technically a knighthood is a “living order” and the title dies with them. So there are no Knights buried in Britain, only former knights.