(CNN) The ashes of world famous physicist Steven Hawking will be interred in London's Westminster Abbey near the graves of ground-breaking scientists Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

In a statement released by the Abbey on Tuesday, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said it was a "fitting" tribute to the British scientist who passed away last week at the age of 76

"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," Hall said in the statement.

Isaac Newton was buried at the Abbey following his death in 1727, as was naturalist Charles Darwin a century and a half later in 1882.

The Abbey announced there would also be a service of thanksgiving in Hawking's honor later in the year.

Queen Elizabeth II lays a wreath on the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton in London, on March 8, 2010.

Read More