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Loved ones whose relatives buried in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion say that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the issue is causing them avoidable anguish concerning the final resting places of their departed family.

A Looming Danger to Historic Graveyards

Local authorities have identified three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being engulfed by the ocean in the coming decades.

A recent report on the issue details a series of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer sites. Officials say it is for the community to determine how to proceed.

“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. My parents intended this to be their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one churchyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some residents worry it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered a childhood visit to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get washed out to sea. They won’t. People will collect remains as souvenirs and go grave robbing looking for treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

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

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Along the coast lies the grave of a former paratrooper who died while working abroad. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be moved.

“It does trouble me to consider this may not remain his lasting resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant site to visit.”

She believes, new burials should cease but says it is premature to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

The lack of consensus over the timing and method to handle the problem has resulted in grieving relatives feeling exasperated and anxious.

Some want additional sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to proceed for now. Others contend the time for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. 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 up to them to choose the direction to take. We are here to assist them through that journey with residents.”

He added there was ample time to weigh all the options. “This concerns many years before it starts to be lost.”

“There is no unified opinion on what should be done yet. We need good community discussions to discover the right answers for each community.”

The prospect of losing the churches and graveyards was described as one of “profound sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in life after death, providing a theological viewpoint on the physical loss of sacred ground.