At 10:30 on Saturday, mourners for Willy Naessens’ funeral departed from Stoeterij De Strohoeve in Elsegem (Wortegem-Petegem), a horse and carriage domain developed by the entrepreneur himself.
Two mounted police officers led the procession, followed by his personal four-horse team pulling the black carriage with the coffin. The family walked on foot. The procession heads to the nearby Sint-Mauruskerk, where the funeral service is scheduled to begin at 11:00.
Stoeterij De Strohoeve is a significant location in Naessens’ life. He purchased the old farm years ago and turned it into a professional horse business with stables, an indoor arena, and a breeding programme. During the COVID-19 period, the site was further expanded. This week, symbolically, four foals were born, with a stallion named “Chapeau” after Naessens’ last advertising slogan.
The church is reserved for family and close friends. Filming or photographing inside is prohibited. Those who wish to follow the service can do so at multiple locations via livestream. Large screens will be set up on the church square in Elsegem, at De Strohoeve, in a designated public zone at the arena, and within the company for employees of the Willy Naessens Group. The largest screen at the stud farm measures 10 by 6 metres.
The funeral service will start with organ music. The coffin will then be brought in through the rear of the church. Singer Christoff will commence the ceremony with the song “You Raise Me Up”. This will be followed by a greeting from the officiant and words of welcome from the family. In a symbolic light ritual, the granddaughters will light candles and the grandson will place a cross with Willy’s name on the coffin.
The ceremony will follow the classic Catholic structure, including readings, a gospel text, a homily, and prayers. The grandchildren will deliver a joint farewell speech. The intercessions will be followed by offertory music, including performances by Christoff and the local choir.
Later in the service, Dirk Deroose will speak on behalf of the Willy Naessens Group, and Filip Van Hautegem will speak on behalf of the family. The ceremony will conclude with traditional farewell prayers, sprinkling with holy water, censing of the urn, and a final hymn, symbolically entrusting Willy Naessens to “the angels who will lead him to paradise.”
After the service, the family will leave the church discreetly. The coffin will remain in the church; any interment at the cemetery will not be part of the public programme and will occur later in a private setting. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 visitors are expected. Besides family and friends, numerous prominent figures from the region and national politics are also anticipated.
