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Families of people laid to rest in graves at risk from coastal erosion state that a lack of decision on how best to address the problem is creating unnecessary distress concerning the final resting places of their departed family.

An Impending Danger to Historic Churchyards

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

A newly published study on the issue sets out a range of possible actions, from taking no action to exhuming remains and reburying them in more secure sites. Officials say it is for the community to determine how to proceed.

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

Estimates suggest at least a portion of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals fear 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 Past

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

“It was possible to see human remains,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that the deceased will just get carried away to sea. That is not the case. People will collect remains as mementos and go plundering graves in search of treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

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

A Soldier's Grave in Jeopardy

Further up the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper killed while serving abroad. His parent said she could not sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be relocated.

“It does disturb 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 too soon to exhume current plots. “My preference for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an early decision must be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

An absence of agreement over the timing and method to handle the problem has resulted in grieving relatives feeling frustrated and worried.

Several families want additional coastal protections to delay the unavoidable loss and to permit funerals to proceed for now. Others argue the moment for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “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 accountable.”

A coastal manager confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the local diocese. “In the end it is up to them to choose the direction to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with communities.”

It was also stated there was time to consider all the choices. “We are talking decades before it starts to be lost.”

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should happen yet. We need good local conversations to discover the right answers for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the historic sites was labeled one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in resurrection, offering a spiritual viewpoint on the physical loss of hallowed earth.