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Families whose relatives buried in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion state that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is creating unnecessary distress about the final resting places of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Ancient Graveyards

The council have identified three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being consumed by the sea in the coming decades.

A newly published study on the issue details a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in more secure locations. Authorities maintain it is for the community to decide how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. My parents intended this to be their last home, but it won't be because of the sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the waves in the next 80 years, but some residents worry it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Troubled by the Past

One resident recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get carried away to sea. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as souvenirs and go plundering graves in search of valuables. 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’d be appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Jeopardy

Further up the coast lies the burial plot of a former paratrooper who died while serving abroad. His mother said she lost sleep after learning her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to think this won’t be his permanent home,” she said. “For us it’s an important place to go.”

She believes, new interments should cease but says it is premature to exhume existing graves. “My preference for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an early decision needs to be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

An absence of consensus over the timing and method to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families are calling for more coastal protections to delay the inevitable erosion and to allow funerals to continue for now. Others contend the time for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was thorough, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And all parties is washing their hands over who is responsible.”

A coastal manager said the burial sites were under the care of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to decide the path to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

He added there was time to consider 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 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 spiritual viewpoint on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.