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Families whose relatives laid to rest in resting places at risk from coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is creating unnecessary distress about the final resting places of their departed family.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

Local authorities have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being consumed by the sea in the next few generations.

A recent report on the situation sets out a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for the community to decide how to proceed.

“At the moment we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. They wanted this to be their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates suggest at least part of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s happened 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 largely vanished into the water, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get carried away to sea. They won’t. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing in search of treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

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

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Along the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper who died while serving overseas. His mother said she could not sleep after learning her son’s final plot might one day be moved.

“It does disturb me to consider this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “For us it’s an significant site to visit.”

She believes, new burials should cease but says it is premature to disturb current plots. “What I would choose for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an early decision needs to be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Searching for Solutions and Certainty

An absence of consensus over the timing and method to handle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling frustrated and anxious.

Some want additional sea defences to delay the unavoidable loss and to allow burials to proceed for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And everybody is avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”

A local official confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to choose the direction to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with communities.”

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

“There is no unified opinion on what should be done yet. It requires good community discussions to find the appropriate solutions for each village.”

The possibility of losing the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sorrow for the area,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in resurrection, providing a theological perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.