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Families of people buried in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to address the problem is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Historic Churchyards

Local authorities have identified three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being engulfed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue sets out a series of possible actions, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer locations. Officials maintain it is for local people to determine how to proceed.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. They intended this to serve as their final resting place, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Projections 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 less than 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred 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, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see human remains,” she said. “Certain people hold this romantic idea that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as souvenirs and go plundering graves in search of valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the identical fate that befell at Eccles will happen at Happisburgh and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Soldier's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the shoreline lies the burial plot of a ex-soldier who died while working abroad. His mother expressed she lost sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to think this may not remain his permanent resting place,” she said. “To our family it’s an significant place to go.”

She believes, new interments should stop but says it is premature to exhume current plots. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a tipping point has been reached.”

Searching for Solutions and Clarity

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

Several families want additional coastal protections to delay the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to proceed for now. Others contend the time for moving graves is approaching.

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

A coastal manager said the burial sites were under the care of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

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

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. We need good local conversations to find the right solutions for each village.”

The prospect of losing the historic sites was described as one of “profound sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a belief in resurrection, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the physical loss of hallowed earth.