It’s not where I first turn to, but when the news is about some never-ending political debate or the front page reports about a survey on teenagers’ eating habits, I will pause at the overlijdensberichten for the details I can glean from such sparse notices. I have such a page in front of me. Jean-Pierre was lid van de plaatselijke culturele verenigingen – member of the local cultural associations. Even with his “Flemish” name he was geboren in Polen in 1944– born in Poland in 1944. The board of directors of the company he set up betreurt het overlijden van haar stichter – regrets the passing of its founder: hij maakte van haar een bloeiend bedrijf – he made it a flourishing business.

Often in Belgium, the death of a monk or a nun is announced. Zuster – Sister Marie-Bernard: intrede in de Priorij op 25 maart 1955 – entered into the Priory on 25 March 1955. Such notices are quite simple: De Priorij meldt u het overlijden van – The Priory announces to you the death of – followed by a calming verse: Een leven kwam tot rust, in de palm van Gods hand – A life came to rest in the palm of God’s hand. In others you can feel the pain: De families melden u met grote droefheid het heengaan van – The families announce to you with great sorrow the passing of.

Usually the notice is also an invitation to attend the funeral service: De uitvaartliturgie waartoe u vriendelijk wordt uitgenodigd zal plaatshebben in de parochiekerk – The funeral service, to which you are kindly invited, will take place in the parish church. Sometimes not: De begrafenis geschiedt in intieme familiekring – The burial will take place within the immediate family.

The person may be referred to as de echtgenote – wife, or de echtgenoot – husband, or the surviving weduwe – widow, or weduwnaar – widower. The rest of the family will also be mentioned: kinderen en kleinkinderen – children and grandchildren; zijn broer, schoonzus, neven en nichten – his brother, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces.

Occupations are often given. Jean-Pierre unusually was both a leraar – teacher and zaakvoerder – businessman. François was een belastingsambtenaar op rust – a retired tax inspector. André was a professor and Agnes a lid van het zangkoor – member of the choir.

Yet life is a circle. Simone died shortly after de geboorte van haar twaalfde kleinkind – the birth of her twelfth grandchild, so it’s fitting that the topic next week is Sinterklaas – Saint Nicholas.

www.inmemoriam.be