Brussels officials unveiled a new crematorium in the north of the capital on Friday evening.
Situated at the entrance of Evere and Schaerbeek cemeteries, opposite Brussels cemetery, the new facility adds to the previously limited offering solely provided by the Uccle crematorium in the south.
The project was twenty years in the making and was finally completed after a three-year construction period. It required an investment of around €9.2 million, with €2.8 million subsidised by the Brussels Region.
The new crematorium houses two furnaces in its basement that comply with energy conservation and pollution control standards. The building design allows for a third furnace to be installed if needed. Its layout is designed to guide grieving families through each section in a logical sequence, to aid their mourning process.
The ceremonial rooms, flooded with natural light, each open towards a secluded patio, maintaining the location’s privacy. A large gathering hall, which can be combined with the reception into one space if need be, accommodates larger assemblies.
On the conclusion of the ceremony, families have the option to exit the premises or go to a family area or cafeteria. A private lounge has been set up, as well as a more flexible room designed to provide a meeting place for the ceremony master to converse with families.
The inauguration was attended by Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS), Brussels Minister of Local Authorities Bernard Clerfayt (DéFi), the Chairman of the Board of Cremabru intermunicipal company, Fabian Maingain (DéFI), and its management team.
