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Families of people laid to rest in resting places at risk from coastal erosion say that a lack of decision over how to address the issue is causing them avoidable anguish concerning the eternal homes of their departed family.

A Looming Danger to Ancient Graveyards

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

A newly published study on the issue sets out a series of possible actions, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer locations. Officials maintain it is for local people to decide how to move forward.

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

Estimates indicate at least a portion of one churchyard could be claimed by the sea 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 consider what’s happened in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, along with its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see human remains,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get washed out to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as souvenirs and go plundering graves looking for valuables. It’s completely disrespectful.”

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

A Soldier's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Further up the coast is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper who died while serving overseas. His mother said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be moved.

“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 stop but says it is premature to disturb current plots. “My preference for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Seeking Solutions and Clarity

The lack of consensus over the timing and method to tackle the challenge has resulted in bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families want additional sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to continue for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“The situation is very emotive,” said one relative. “The council’s report was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And all parties is avoiding responsibility over who is accountable.”

A local official said the burial sites were under the care of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to decide the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that process with communities.”

It was also stated there was ample time to weigh all the choices. “This concerns many years before it starts to be lost.”

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

The prospect of losing the churches and graveyards was described as one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but church representatives also spoke of a belief in resurrection, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the physical loss of sacred ground.