– Lillebjørn Nilsen is not buried at the state’s expense. Very few people are buried at the state’s expense.
Acting head of communications at the Prime Minister’s office, Anne Nordskog, says so NRK Wednesday.
Nordskog adds that there are no fixed rules for who is buried at the state’s expense, and that the decision is taken by the prime minister in consultation with relevant ministers. She says:
– Alternatives to a funeral at the state’s expense could be that the government is represented at the funeral and sends a wreath.
Was 73 years old
The popular singer fell asleep quietly on January 27, and was 73 years old.
It was the Grappa record company that confirmed the death.
Nilsen has received several awards throughout, including the Prøysen prize, several Spellemann prizes, including the honorary prize and the St. Hallvard medal, Oslo municipality’s highest award. In 2022, King Harald (86) appointed him knight 1st class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.
Nilsen leaves behind two children, Siri and Sara, and his wife Mairead Anne Imlach, whom he married in 2018.
Will honor him
Lillebjørn Nilsen grew up in Ila, close to Alexander Kielland’s place, and wrote a number of songs about the capital’s development. When the artist was awarded the prestigious St. Hallvard medal in 2017, the reason was that he has “created songs and music that tell about and depict life in Oslo”.
Mayor of Oslo, Anne Lindboe, tells Nettavisen that they would like to honor Nilsen’s commitment to the capital.
– We want to find ways to honor him, but a decision has not yet been taken on how, she says.
When and where the singer will be buried or laid to rest is not yet known. Until that happens, the town hall bells will play “Good night Oslo” every evening.