Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 2017, Page 171

ÁRBÓK FORNLEIFAFÉLAGSINS170
Summary
Private cemeteries in Iceland
In 1902 a regulation was introduced in Iceland which allowed farmers to create a
private cemetery on their property. The regulation was a response to the wishes
of farmers who wanted to be buried alongside members of their family on their
property. The idea most likely grew out of the romantic nationalism and liberalism
which characterized the time, but these two policies had a major impact on the
Icelandic independence movement of the early 20th century. 
This arrangement did not last very long. By 1963, the license had been revised,
and as a result it was prohibited to create new private cemeteries. Once the ban
came into effect, permission had been granted for almost 160 private cemeteries. 
Their distribution across the country is very unequal. Most of the cemeteries
are located in the north of Iceland (58), and in the east (52). These account for
over 2/3 of all the private cemeteries in Iceland. In southern Iceland there are
19 private cemeteries and 29 in western Iceland. Distance from church or bad
transportation can hardly explain this unequal distribution between areas. The
most likely explanation, therefore, seems to be the fact that private cemeteries
became fashionable in some areas, while in other areas they appear to have been
an exception.