Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Residents of Vilvoorde criticise the town cemetery’s overgrown weeds. Alderman Jeroen Bergers (N-VA) blames the lack of structured maintenance and plans, promising extra efforts and a long-term green space management strategy.
As VRT News reported, residents of Vilvoorde are upset about the condition of the town cemetery. Weeds have grown out of control on and around the graves. Many people reacted on Facebook, calling the situation “scandalous,” “a real disgrace,” and “a lack of respect for the deceased.” They say the cemetery has become difficult to walk through because nothing is being maintained.
What is being done about Vilvoorde cemetery’s overgrowth by Alderman Bergers?
Alderman for Green Services Jeroen Bergers (N-VA) has responded to the complaints. He says Vilvoorde has been dealing with this problem for years. Bergers admits he was surprised when he took office to find that the city had no management plan for public green spaces. Instead, decisions about maintenance were made only as needed, without structure.
Bergers stresses that the lack of planning is a main reason the cemetery has fallen into this condition. He says structured management and long-term planning are needed to restore the cemetery and show respect for those buried there.
Alderman Jeroen Bergers (N-VA) says organising Vilvoorde’s green space maintenance will be one of the main challenges of the upcoming legislative term. He adds that some of the responsibility for the current state of public spaces lies with the previous administration.
“It’s not rocket science,”
Alderman Jeroen Bergers says.
“We simply need to determine which green spaces need maintenance, how often, and how many people are needed.”
When asked about the overgrown weeds in the cemetery, Bergers says the parks department will make extra efforts while a long-term master plan is being prepared. He explains that maintenance is a shared responsibility. The parks department can manage the greenery around the graves, but they are not allowed to remove weeds that grow directly on the graves.
Belgium has seen similar problems in the past. In November 2023, at least 85 graves in the Jewish cemetery of Marcinelle, Charleroi, were damaged, and objects were stolen. In Kraainem, near Brussels, a Jewish cemetery was defaced with antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas and Stars of David. Both incidents were condemned by local authorities and Jewish organisations. Investigations were launched to find the people responsible.
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