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Loved ones of people buried in graves at risk from coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the problem is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the final resting places of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

The council have identified three church graveyards in the villages 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 issue sets out a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer sites. Authorities say it is for the community to determine how to proceed.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. My parents intended this to serve as their last home, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates indicate at least a portion of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents fear it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Past

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the nearby village of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“It was possible to 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 collect remains as mementos and go plundering graves in search of valuables. That is completely undignified.”

“I’m worried that the same thing that happened at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Peril

Along the shoreline is situated the grave of a ex-soldier who died while working abroad. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It does disturb me to think this won’t be his permanent resting place,” she said. “To our family it’s an important site to visit.”

She believes, new burials should cease but says it is premature to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Searching for Solutions and Clarity

The lack of agreement over when and how to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling frustrated and anxious.

Several families want more sea defences to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the moment for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” said one relative. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is taken forward. And everybody is avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”

A coastal manager said the graveyards were owned and managed of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that process with communities.”

It was also stated there was time to consider all the options. “This concerns many years before it begins getting lost.”

“There is no common view on what should happen yet. We need good community discussions to find the right solutions for each village.”

The prospect of losing the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a belief in resurrection, providing a theological perspective on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.