The Ekanayake family, with whom the British author lived in the final decades of his life, cried as his coffin was lowered into the grave. His brother, Fred Clarke, and other family members were among the mourners. Some fans and followers also sprinkled soil into the grave.
Music from the 1968 movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" was played at the funeral and at Clarke's home before the ceremony. Clarke co-wrote the film's original screenplay with director Stanley Kubrick.
Tamara Ekanayake, the daughter of Clarke's business partner and longtime friend Hector Ekanayake, made a brief speech at their home before the funeral procession began. She said Clarke's gravestone would be engraved according to his wishes: "Here lies Arthur C. Clarke. He never grew up and did not stop growing."
Born in western England on Dec. 16, 1917, Clarke earlier served in the Royal Air Force during World War II before moving to Sri Lanka in 1956.
He died Wednesday in a Colombo hospital after suffering breathing problems at age 90.
