ABSTRACT
Demographic expansion in Brussels caused various problems for the organisation of an efficient disposal of corpses. Inspired by surface Mediterranean examples engineer Emile Bockstael introduced at the cemetery in Laeken the concept of subterranean funerary galleries for perpetual concessions. At the end the expense of the construction in brick or concrete stayed the same, however for the construction methods and hygienic reasons concrete was more suitable. The combination of Bockstaels design and Blaton-Aubert agglomerated concrete resulted in a modular construction system that fastened the building process. The historical funerary galleries at cemetery Campo Santo in Pisa were rediscovered and became an ultimate source of inspiration. The construction of aboveground galleries would harm the attractive appearance. The Brussels-Capital Region occupies a very unique position regarding funerary galleries. The design of the first underground funerary gallery complex was exhibited through a plaster model at the International Hygiene Exhibition that took place in London in 1884.
