When our time on this earth is over we all must be buried, but of course even in death there is a difference between a nobleman and a ordinary man. While the lower class had to make do with the cemetery, it was possible for the wealthy to secure a more noble and beautiful burial place. These burial sites were often marked in a more special way.
 
This was also the case on Meløya. In connection with the demolition of the old church in 1868, a total of 7 different burial chambers were discovered. Some were built of stone while others were of timber. A total of 71 coffins were found under the church floor. Some of these had strips of paper with names and time of death. The oldest was from 1741.
 
There are a number of old memorial plaques in cast iron in the cemetery, but they are not particularly old. The oldest memorial stone is a tall soapstone. It has incised writing on both sides. The year of death for one is 1802, and for the other 1825. This type of memorial stone is very rare.
 
 
The cemetery has been expanded a number of times.

The first time was in 1867. Around the older part is a beautiful large cemetery wall which was most likely built during the extension in 1867.

The second extension took place in 1886. The following year, a beautiful and expensive gate made of iron and with ore pillars was also erected.

In 1903 it was extended for the third time. In order to limit the use of the old part of the cemetery, it was decided the following year that the graves there had to be paid for, the new part could be used freely.

In the 1920s, Meløy was hit hard by the Spanish flu. The enormous number of deaths in a short time resulted in the cemetery having to be expanded once again in 1933.

After the second World War, the cemetery had begun showing its age. maintenance of the cemetery had not really been prioritized and was limited to what the next of kin and the gravedigger had done. Although they had done their best, the cemetery began to appear less beautiful. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the matter broth before the parish council and improvements were planned and carried out.

The cemetery is still in use and appears today as a beautiful place for the joy of all those who have their loved ones buried there.

Subject text: Helge Seim

Screenplay: Helge Seim og Jan Ivar Bårtvedt

Voice:  Bente Sørgård

Editing: Helge seim

Music ans sounds: freesound.org

Source:

• Andreassen A.H. og Sørgård R. (1992) Meløy Kirke 125-årsjubileet 1867 - 1992 Sentrum Trykk