Public viewings open this Sunday at funeral center Reweghs-Pipeleers, followed by a unique final farewell service hosted inside the Cegeka Arena on Monday, fulfilling Michiel’s final wish.
The Bottom Line
- Final Tributes: Public viewings begin Sunday at 15:00 at uitvaartcentrum Reweghs-Pipeleers on Wijkstraat 25 in Diepenbeek.
- Stadium Farewell: Monday’s memorial service takes place inside the Cegeka Arena, home of KRC Genk, starting at 16:00 with doors open at 15:00.
- Charitable Requests: The family requests no floral tributes, encouraging donations instead to vzw Kleine Prins.
A Final Wish at the Cegeka Arena
Few individuals leave a mark on a local sports community quite like Michiel Vandeweert. Fulfilling a deeply personal request, Monday’s funeral service will take place right on the grounds of the Cegeka Arena. As Michiel noted shortly before his passing, “I would find it a very nice tribute if my funeral could take place in the stadium of KRC Genk.” The venue opens its doors to the public starting at 15:00, with the formal ceremony commencing at 16:00.
Community Mourning and Condolences at Goalmine
The outreach extends far beyond Monday’s service. KRC Genk has officially opened a condolence register within Goalmine, the club’s dedicated football museum. Starting Friday morning, anyone wishing to leave a final message or pay their respects can do so within the museum space. It is a tangible way for fans, friends, and community members to process the loss outside of the formal service hours.
Meanwhile, the family has offered a very specific request for those planning to attend Sunday’s visitation at uitvaartcentrum Reweghs-Pipeleers on Wijkstraat 25. Rather than traditional floral arrangements, loved ones ask that attendees direct support toward vzw Kleine Prins—a charitable organization close to Michiel’s heart and one for which he consistently advocated.
Honoring a Legacy in Diepenbeek
Sunday afternoon marks the initial opportunity for the public to gather. Beginning at 15:00 at the Diepenbeek funeral center, mourners can offer their final greetings in a more intimate setting before the grand, stadium-scale farewell on Monday. For a community accustomed to celebrating athletic triumphs within these very walls, Monday’s gathering offers a solemn space for collective grief and remembrance.
How does your local community typically honor figures who bridge the gap between civic life and sports fandom? Let us know in the comments below.
