There are places in Brussels that seem almost forgotten by the city. The Neder-Over-HeembeekCemetery is one of them: located in a remote neighborhood, it covers only about one hectare and resembles a small garden more than a necropolis. Yet behind its brick walls lies a surprisingly rich history.
A cemetery born from two villages
Before becoming a Brussels neighborhood, Neder-Over-Heembeek consisted of two distinct villages: Neder-Heembeek and Over-Heembeek. Each had its own church and cemetery. The municipality finally purchased a plot of land in 1893 to create a single cemetery, which opened in 1895. The old graves did not disappear completely… Some headstones from the two parish cemeteries were moved and embedded in the surrounding wall. This detail gives the site a rather unique atmosphere today, blending rural heritage with the history of Brussels. The cemetery was then expanded in 1935, before Neder-Over-Heembeek was incorporated into the City of Brussels in 1921.
A mausoleum that doesn’t go unnoticed
The star of the show? Without a doubt, the de Ro family mausoleum. This imposing funeral chapel, built in 1918, belonged to a family of notaries, lawyers, and politicians who were notably the owners of the Château de Meudon. Its eclectic architecture is full of intriguing details: a veiled skull, hourglasses, cherubs, and bas-reliefs representing faith, hope, and charity.
Stories to Discover Among the Graves
The tour still holds a few surprises, notably the Selliers de Moranville family plot and the monument dedicated to the ten soldiers from Neder-Over-Heembeek who died during the two world wars. And for the curious, the city even offers a family scavenger hunt to explore the cemetery in a different way. No need to wait for Halloween: the site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers a unique stroll to discover a much lesser-known side of Brussels.
📍Address: Rue du Craetveld 124, 1120 Brussels
