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Loved ones whose relatives laid to rest in resting places at risk from coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to address the issue is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Historic Churchyards

Local authorities have singled out three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham 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 series of options, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer locations. Authorities maintain it is for local people to determine how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. My parents wanted this to serve as their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Projections suggest at least a portion of one churchyard could be claimed by the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident recalled a school trip to the nearby village of Eccles, which has almost entirely vanished into the water, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this romantic idea that the deceased will just get carried away to the ocean. That is not the case. People will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing in search of treasures. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that happened 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 shoreline is situated the grave of a former paratrooper killed while working overseas. His parent expressed she could not sleep after learning her child's final plot might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “To our family it’s an important site to visit.”

She believes, new interments should cease but says it is premature to disturb current plots. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an early decision must be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

An absence of agreement over when and how to tackle the problem has left bereaved families feeling exasperated and anxious.

Some are calling for additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to allow funerals to proceed for now. Others contend the moment for relocation 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 responsible.”

A coastal manager said the graveyards were owned and managed of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is down to them to choose the path to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with communities.”

He added there was ample time to consider all the options. “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 local conversations to find the appropriate solutions for each village.”

The prospect of losing the historic sites was labeled one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in resurrection, providing a spiritual perspective on the physical loss of sacred ground.