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Loved ones whose relatives buried in resting places at risk from coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Historic Graveyards

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

A newly published study on the issue details a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer sites. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to proceed.

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

Projections indicate at least part of one churchyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents fear it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got less than 20 years, if you look at what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered 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 human remains,” she said. “Certain people hold this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get carried away to sea. They won’t. People will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that befell at Eccles will occur here and there’ll be bones on the beach. I would feel disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Further up the coast is situated the grave of a ex-soldier who died while serving abroad. His mother expressed she lost sleep after learning her son’s final plot might one day be moved.

“It truly trouble me to consider this won’t be his lasting home,” she said. “To our family it’s an important site to visit.”

In her view, new burials should stop but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “My preference for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an timely resolution must be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

An absence of agreement over the timing and method to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling frustrated and anxious.

Some want more sea defences to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Others argue the moment for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was really good, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And everybody is avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”

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

It was also stated there was time to weigh all the choices. “We are talking many years 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 right answers for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the historic sites was described as one of “immense sadness for the area,” but church representatives also spoke of a belief in resurrection, offering a spiritual viewpoint on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.