A law introduced in 1805 ended the practice of burial under the church floor and the demand for burial places outside the church increased. During the 19th century cast iron was the most fashionable material for memorial monuments and there were cast iron crosses, plaques and railings. The foundries offered a selection of shapes and the bereaved chose the wording.

The graveyard at Steigen Church has particularly many horizontal memorials plaques and vertical crosses made of cast iron as well as black stone obelisks and other carefully made memorial stones. Together these give an interesting insight into changing ideals and thinking.