Jos Thys, from Westerlo, had always been curious about what his funeral would be like.
So his six children invited 250 guests and held a funeral reception for his 68th birthday.
There was no church service or visit to the cemetery, but all the mourners wore black, sent flowers and cards, and had lunch together.
Mr Thys told Het Laatste Nieuws that he got the idea years ago at the funeral of his best friend, when it struck him that it was a pity his friend could not be there.
He said: "I always wanted to know how people would think about me and would speak about me at my funeral.
"Some people would have found it sinister. But I was so pleased to share it with my friends. There were 250 and I heard no gossiping at all.
"I¹m still in good health, but in case something happens to me, my children are prepared now.
"They spent the last three days trying to find the addresses of long-lost friends and family. If I die suddenly, it will be easy to inform them."
