(CNN) -- Sir Edmund Hillary has been laid to rest in New Zealand after thousands paid tribute to a mountaineer whose conquest of Mt Everest in 1953 was one of the 20th century's defining moments. A last farewell to Sir Edmund Hillary. Guests filled Auckland's Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral and an overflow area next door for a service. Among the guests were politicians, mountaineers and friends. Lady Hillary sat with family and Prime Minister Helen Clark. In the congregation were members of Nepal's Sherpa community and Buddhist monks. In front of them, Hillary's coffin was draped in a New Zealand flag and covered in wreaths. See photos of the funeral service »
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New Zealand says final goodbye to national hero Sir Edmund Hillary
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In the congregation is family, Nepalese Sherpas, politicians and friends
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Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first men to climb Mount Everest
He returned in 1953, when he and @placeholder made their ascent -- spending 15-30 minutes at the summit.