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Families of people buried in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is creating avoidable anguish concerning the eternal homes of their departed family.

A Looming Danger to Historic Churchyards

Local authorities have singled out three church graveyards in the villages of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being swallowed by the sea in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue details a range of options, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and relocating 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. My parents wanted this to serve as their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the sea.”

Projections suggest at least a portion of one churchyard could be claimed by the waves in the next 80 years, but some residents fear it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

A local business owner remembered a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the water, including its place of worship and burial ground.

“You could see human remains,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that the deceased will just get washed out to sea. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing in search of treasures. That is completely undignified.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that happened at Eccles will occur at Happisburgh and there’ll be bones on the beach. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Soldier's Resting Place in Peril

Along the coast lies the grave of a ex-soldier who died while working overseas. His mother expressed she could not sleep after learning her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “To our family it’s an significant site to visit.”

In her view, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to disturb current plots. “My preference 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 Solutions and Certainty

The lack of consensus over when and how to tackle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling frustrated and worried.

Several families want more sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to proceed for now. Different voices contend the time for moving graves is approaching.

“The situation is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The official study 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 confirmed the burial sites were under the care of the local diocese. “In the end it is up to them to choose the path 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 options. “We are talking many years before it starts to be lost.”

“There is no unified opinion on what should be done yet. We need productive local conversations to discover the right solutions for each community.”

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 doctrine in resurrection, providing a theological perspective on the physical loss of hallowed earth.