Bereavement and Mourning (Belgium)

World War I claimed the lives of approximately 60,000 Belgian civilians and soldiers. Belgium was uniquely situated in the middle of the conflict and suffered civilian massacres in August 1914 and the occupation of the territory up to 1918. All of these factors had a direct impact on mourning rites both during and after the war. The renewal of mourning rites such as funeral masses in occupied Belgium, the invention of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and national funerals for patriots after the war shows an equal consideration for civilian and military deaths.