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Loved ones of people laid to rest in resting places at risk from shoreline retreat argue that a lack of decision over how to address the problem is creating unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their departed family.

An Impending Danger to Ancient Graveyards

The council have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being engulfed by the sea in the coming decades.

A recent report on the issue sets out a range of options, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in more secure locations. Authorities say it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. They intended this to be their final resting place, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates suggest at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents worry it will happen far earlier. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Past

One resident recalled a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that the deceased will just get washed out to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing in search of valuables. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that befell at Eccles will occur at Happisburgh and there’ll be bones on the beach. I would feel disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Peril

Further up the coast is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper killed while serving abroad. His mother expressed she could not sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It truly trouble me to consider this may not remain his lasting resting place,” she said. “To our family it’s an important place to go.”

In her view, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to exhume existing graves. “My preference for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

The lack of agreement over when and how to handle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling exasperated and anxious.

Several families want more sea defences to delay the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotional,” a family member stated. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is taken forward. And all parties is washing their hands over who is accountable.”

A coastal manager said the graveyards were owned and managed of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is up to them to decide the direction to take. We are here to assist them through that journey with communities.”

It was also stated there was ample time to weigh all the options. “We are talking many years before it begins getting lost.”

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

The possibility of losing the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “profound sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in life after death, offering a spiritual viewpoint on the physical loss of hallowed earth.