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Families of people buried in resting places at risk from coastal erosion state that a lack of decision over how to address the problem is creating avoidable anguish concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

The council have singled out three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being swallowed by the sea in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue sets out a range of options, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer sites. Officials say it is for local people to decide how to move forward.

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

Estimates indicate at least a portion of one churchyard could fall into the sea 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 happened in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see human remains,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get washed out to sea. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go plundering graves in search of valuables. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that happened at Eccles will happen at Happisburgh and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I’d be disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Jeopardy

Along the coast is situated the grave of a former paratrooper who died while working overseas. His mother said she lost sleep after discovering her child's final plot might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to think this may not remain his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an important place to go.”

She believes, new burials should stop but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Seeking Answers and Clarity

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

Some want additional sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to continue for now. Others argue the time for moving graves is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is taken forward. And everybody is washing their hands over who is responsible.”

A coastal manager confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the path to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

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

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. We need good community discussions to find the appropriate answers for each village.”

The prospect of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “immense sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in resurrection, providing a theological viewpoint on the temporal disappearance of sacred ground.