The funeral service starts with organ music. Subsequently, the box is brought in via the back of the church. Singer Christoff opens the ceremony with the song You Raise Me Up. This is followed by a greeting by the predecessor and words of welcome by the family. In a symbolic light ritus, the granddaughters light candles and the grandson places a cross with WillyThe name on the box.
The ceremony runs according to the classic Catholic structure, with lectures, an gospel text, a homily and prayers. Grandchildren bring a joint farewell word. The intercessions are followed by a sacrifice, in which music sounds again, including from Christoff and the local choir.
Later in the service, Dirk Deroose also speak on behalf of the Willy Naessens Group and Filip van Hautegem on behalf of the family. The ceremony ends with the traditional farewell prayers, sprinkling with holy water, incense room of the urn and a final song, after which Willy Naessens is symbolically entrusted to “the angels who guide him in paradijze”.
