Izegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The much-loved and renowned funeral director Marc Snoeck of Izegem has passed away aged 75. He had been battling with some health issues for a while now and died at home last Monday in the company of his family. In Izegem and its environs, his name is reputed to ‘ring like a bell’, a phrase that denotes his prominence and dependability. To many generations of grieving families, he was always the reliable person behind hundreds of funerals.
- What did his career and family business look like?
- What do family, colleagues and the town say about him?
- How was he described personally?
- Where and when will the funeral take place?
- What historical context colours this death?
- What does his death mean for Izegem and the sector?
- How will his legacy be shaped going forward?
What did his career and family business look like?
The career of Marc Snoeck in the funeral industry extended over a period of no less than 60 years, which is an unusual record. His business – Uitvaartzorg Snoeck – is a standard example of a family business now operating in the fourth generation. This means that the business belongs to his father, then to Marc himself, to his son Stefaan, and to his grandson Samuel, who ensure its continuity. The business was founded in Kruisstraat in Izegem and was relocated to Bellevuestraat in 1999, while after a fire in 2007, a new funeral center was built on the same spot. At the moment, a new chapel is being constructed by the family, and its opening date is set for 2027, which is a posthumous achievement for Marc.
What do family, colleagues and the town say about him?
Reactions following his death sketch a man who stood strong both professionally and humanly. In media reports he is consistently described as
“a very affable and integer person”,
someone who
“always showed great respect for the bereaved relatives of the deceased”.
These words are not casual; in a sector where emotions run high and decisions can quickly be made under pressure, an entrepreneur’s reputation carries significant weight. Uitvaartzorg Snoeck enjoyed a positive reputation in the region, partly because Marc Snoeck managed for decades to maintain a personal, respectful approach.
How was he described personally?
Alongside his professional image, Marc Snoeck was also portrayed as a pronounced bon vivant, someone who loved football, music and good company. He was a staunch supporter of Club Brugge and a regular at Het Witte Paard in Blankenberge, where he often spent time. This combination of seriousness and zest for life made him a familiar figure: strict where necessary, warm where possible. Acquaintances also remember him as someone who committed himself to good causes, with initiatives and shows in Izegem that brought the community together.
Where and when will the funeral take place?
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, 30 August 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sint-Thillokerk in Izegem. The time and location were chosen so that family, friends, colleagues and numerous residents who knew him can say their farewells. The ceremony in the Sint-Thillokerk, a central place in Izegem’s social life, underlines how deeply Snoeck was anchored in the local community. After the service, the final goodbye will follow, with representatives from local associations, the hospitality sector and the funeral industry expected to attend.
What historical context colours this death?
While Marc Snoeck is remembered only in good terms, his death comes amid rising suspicion surrounding the funeral sector in Belgium. In the past few years, it was reported how funeral companies would pay the nursing care workers to get exclusive access to the dead body and sometimes even offered them up to €250 per body. In such circumstances, the characterization of Marc Snoeck as “integer” is laden with significance since he is an entrepreneurial role model who places family choices and dignity above everything else.
What does his death mean for Izegem and the sector?
For Izegem, the loss of Marc Snoeck marks the end of an era. For sixty years he was a constant in moments of grief, an anchor for families suddenly confronted with death. For the sector, his death is an opportunity to reflect on what good entrepreneurship in the funeral world entails: transparency, respect and a clear separation between commercial interests and the rights of bereaved relatives. Plans for a new chapel in 2027 show that Uitvaartzorg Snoeck continues to invest, but for many the face of the business will remain inextricably linked to Marc.
How will his legacy be shaped going forward?
Marc Snoeck’s legacy is carried not only by his family but also by the many families he guided and the local initiatives he supported. His son Stefaan and grandson Samuel are ready to continue the business, with the new chapel as a concrete project intended to usher in the next phase. In the words now circulating about him, a clear message emerges: Marc Snoeck was more than an entrepreneur; he was a “highly regarded” figure who
“always showed great respect for the bereaved”
and who, despite his demanding job, never forgot to celebrate life.
