Belgium/Beauraing: ever greener cemeteries
The 18 cemeteries in Beauraing and the surrounding villages have been changing over the last few years. Mineral is gradually being replaced by vegetation. Gone are the gravel paths, replaced by grass and sedum. A communal project that will soon be fully implemented and adapted to changing phytosanitary standards.
"This driveway was originally covered with gravel. Now, as you can see, it's all green." Alain Daussaint is a municipal worker in Beauraing. For six months of the year, he maintains the cemeteries on an almost daily basis. "Replacing minerals with plants makes maintenance much easier. A quick sweep with a brushcutter, then a snowblower, and it's done. Before, you had to use a blowtorch much more regularly, and keep on scraping". This pragmatic approach is one of the positive consequences of a communal project to promote biodiversity and aesthetics in the 18 cemeteries in the area. In fact, the paths of the Martouzin cemetery we're visiting are entirely covered with grass. Here and there, the leaves of young trees are slowly taking on the colors of autumn. " That's a bird sorb," says his colleague, Némo Mascaux. "Behind you, a viburnum. And on the other side of the low wall, we've planted some honeysuckle". Local species adapted to the climate and fairly dry soil of these places of remembrance. "We often have a gravel substrate here, and the graves also bring in more warmth".
Sedum between the graves
Another important, albeit more discreet change: sedum now flourishes between the concessions. " It's a fat plant that's carpeted, adapted to the conditions and doesn't grow too high," continues Mr. Mascaux. "Perfect for those cramped spaces that are difficult to access with tools". Aesthetically, the whole is coherent. What do cemetery users think? " It took some getting used to, but people are getting used to it," says Mr. Daussaint. Mr. Mascaux adds: "People are happy to have their cemetery looked after, but in their eyes, all this new vegetation doesn't look very clean. It doesn't always correspond to the image they have of this type of place. Some have the impression that it's unkempt. I think attitudes will change".
Three quarters of cemeteries already transformed
"To date, thirteen out of eighteen cemeteries in Beauraing have already been fully greened". Stéphane Nennen is in charge of Beauraing's works department. As he explains, the town council's determination to do so fits in perfectly with the evolution of phytosanitary standards: "The standards have forced us to adapt our way of working. We've complied with them in such a way as not to create overwork, and to remain efficient. All this serves a higher purpose: that we feel good in the places where our residents come to see their departed."
Source: www.rtbf.be/
