More people than ever are dying alone in Belgium, a sad situation that has prompted a compassionate response from a group of poets who have established a service called The Lonely Funeral.
This initiative ensures that every individual who dies alone receives a personalised farewell through a poignant poem recited at their funeral.
The Lonely Funeral concept was conceived in 2009 by the group who firmly believed that every person, even those who lived in isolation, deserved an intimate and personalised farewell.
In the days leading up to a funeral, the poets meticulously research the deceased individual's history to create a deeply personal tribute. In some cases, the exploration uncovers unexpected facets of their lives.
Bruges now joins Antwerp and Leuven as the third city to embrace The Lonely Funeral. A team of four local poets, including Tania Verhelst, Herman Leenders, Frederik Lucien De Laere, and Delphine Lecompte, have committed to crafting intimate last words for those who pass away in isolation.
The Lonely Funeral conducted seventeen ceremonies in Antwerp, three in Leuven, and one in Bruges this year. However, the organisation acknowledges that the actual number of lonely deaths is likely much higher.
This assumption is backed up by the increasing number of calls the organisation are getting from institutions such as residential care centres, municipalities, and social services as they record more and more solitary deaths.
Plans are underway to expand the initiative to Kortrijk and Limburg, as well as smaller municipalities, in the coming year.
With a total of twenty poets involved, including nine in Antwerp, seven in Leuven, and four in Bruges, The Lonely Funeral continues to make a profound impact.
The participating poets, aside from the funeral director and coordinator, often find themselves as the sole attendees at these funerals, creating a unique and poignant experience that lingers long after the ceremony concludes.
Standing at the grave of someone previously unknown, the poet reflects on the journey to uncover the individual's story, establishing an unexpected connection and a sense of shared humanity.
The Lonely Funeral remains a powerful and touching testament to the value of recognising and commemorating the lives of those who may have otherwise departed in solitude.
