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When gravestones... become a passion
After more than forty years, Hervé Delaitre’s passion for gravestone making hasn’t taken any wrinkle. He loves his job as “tombaliste”. With All Souls’ Day, he has had a lot of work repairing, washing and cleaning gravestones but he never looks tired…
Hervé was only eight when his passion for the job awakened. “I used to live near Saint Jean cemetery when I was young and I have always been fascinated by this job. So when I left school, it sounded like an evidence that I would become a tombaliste.”
He still has some memories of the time he was living there. “When we were small, my friends and I used to watch for people to come and dig tombs to put coffins in. Then we would take the skull and play football with it. We were young and didn’t realize what we were doing.”
He started at twelve with the famous Mr Esther. The latter has taught him the job since 1963. It’s only in 1982 that he stood on his feet and opened his business, first in Belle-Rose. Now, he has moved to Saint-Pierre but he’s got an office in Quatre-Bornes where his daughter takes “orders” and advises clients on the best material and design.
He has built himself a solid reputation in the profession. “Everyone knows me… Priests recommend me with people. Even the bishop of Port-Louis knows me very well.” According to him, all this is due to his hard work and honesty. “People know they can trust me.” It’s such a reward and pleasure when people tell him he’s done a good job that he has always tried his best to please his clients.
He’s never paid attention to the morbid side of his job. On the contrary, he says he enjoys being in graveyards. “I don’t mind staying there at any time. Nowadays, it’s better to be in cemeteries than outside. At least, you’re sure not to have any problem with anyone. They’re dead so they can’t annoy you,” he says with a smile.
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