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Loved ones of people laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the issue is creating unnecessary distress about the final resting places of their departed family.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

The council have identified three church graveyards in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being swallowed by the ocean in the coming decades.

A newly published study on the issue details a series of possible actions, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and reburying them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. They intended this to serve as their last home, but it won't be because of the sea.”

Estimates suggest at least a portion of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Past

A local business owner remembered a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, including its place of worship and burial ground.

“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 the ocean. That is not the case. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing looking for treasures. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the identical fate that happened at Eccles will occur here and there’ll be bones on the beach. I would feel appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper who died while working abroad. His parent said she lost sleep after learning her son’s grave might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to think this won’t be his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant site to visit.”

In her view, new burials should cease but says it is premature to exhume existing graves. “My preference for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Searching for Solutions and Certainty

An absence of agreement over when and how to handle the challenge has left bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families are calling for more sea defences to delay the unavoidable loss and to allow funerals to continue for now. Others contend the time for relocation is drawing near.

“The situation is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And all parties is washing their hands over who is accountable.”

A local official confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to choose the direction to take. We are here to assist them through that process with residents.”

He added there was ample time to consider all the options. “This concerns many years before it begins getting lost.”

“There is no unified opinion on what should happen yet. It requires good community discussions to discover the right solutions for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the historic sites was labeled one of “immense sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in resurrection, providing a theological perspective on the temporal loss of hallowed earth.