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Families whose relatives laid to rest in resting places at risk from coastal erosion state that a lack of decision over how to address the issue is causing them unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their departed family.

An Impending Danger to Historic Graveyards

Local authorities have singled out three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being swallowed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the situation sets out a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in more secure sites. Officials say it is for local people to determine how to proceed.

“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. They intended this to serve as their final resting place, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered a childhood visit to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, along with its church and graveyard.

“You could see human remains,” she said. “Certain people hold this romantic idea that the deceased will just get carried away to sea. They won’t. People will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing in search of treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that befell at Eccles will occur here and there’ll be skeletons on the beach. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Further up the coast lies the grave of a former paratrooper who died while serving overseas. His parent said she could not sleep after learning her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this won’t be his lasting resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an important place to go.”

In her view, new interments should stop but says it is premature to exhume existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

The lack of consensus over the timing and method to handle the problem has left bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Some want additional coastal protections to delay the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to proceed for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“The situation is very emotive,” said one relative. “The council’s report was thorough, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is taken forward. And all parties is avoiding responsibility over who is accountable.”

A local official confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

He added there was ample time to consider all the options. “We are talking many years before it starts to be lost.”

“There is no unified opinion on what should happen yet. It requires good community discussions to find the right answers for each village.”

The prospect of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a doctrine in resurrection, providing a theological viewpoint on the temporal loss of hallowed earth.