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Families of people laid to rest in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that indecision over how to address the issue is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their departed family.

An Impending Threat to Historic Churchyards

The council have identified three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being swallowed by the ocean in the coming decades.

A newly published study on the situation details a series of possible actions, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to proceed.

“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. They wanted this to serve as their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the sea.”

Estimates suggest at least part of one graveyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Past

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the water, along with its church and graveyard.

“You could see human remains,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go plundering graves looking for valuables. It’s completely undignified.”

“I fear that the identical fate that befell at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be bones on the shore. I would feel appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the coast is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier who died while serving overseas. His mother said she lost sleep after learning her child's grave might one day be moved.

“It does trouble me to think this won’t be his lasting home,” she said. “To our family it’s an important place to go.”

In her view, new burials should stop but says it is premature to disturb current plots. “My preference for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an early decision must be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Searching for Solutions and Certainty

The lack of consensus over when and how to tackle the challenge has resulted in grieving relatives feeling exasperated and anxious.

Some are calling for additional sea defences to slow the unavoidable loss and to allow burials to proceed for now. Different voices argue the moment for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And all parties is avoiding responsibility over who is accountable.”

A coastal manager confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to decide the path to take. We are here to assist them through that process with communities.”

It was also stated there was ample time to consider all the choices. “We are talking decades before it starts to be lost.”

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. It requires productive community discussions to discover the right solutions for each village.”

The possibility of losing the historic sites was labeled one of “profound sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in resurrection, offering a theological perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.