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Families of people buried in resting places at risk from coastal erosion say that a lack of decision over how to address the issue is creating avoidable anguish about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Threat to Ancient Churchyards

The council have identified three church graveyards in the villages of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being consumed by the sea in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the situation sets out a series of possible actions, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in more secure sites. Authorities maintain it is for local people to determine how to move forward.

“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. My parents intended this to be their final resting place, but it isn’t going to be because of the sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one graveyard could fall into the waves 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 occurred in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident recalled a childhood visit to the nearby village of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the sea, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see human remains,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get carried away to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I’m worried that the same thing 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 Grave in Peril

Further up the coast is situated the grave of a ex-soldier killed while serving abroad. His parent said she could not sleep after discovering her child's final plot might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this won’t be 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 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.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

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

Several families are calling for additional sea defences to delay the unavoidable loss and to allow burials to continue for now. Different voices argue the time for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotive,” 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 responsible.”

A coastal manager confirmed the burial sites were under the care of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is down to them to choose the path to take. We are here to assist them through that process with communities.”

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

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

The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “immense sadness for the area,” but church representatives also referenced a doctrine in life after death, offering a spiritual perspective on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.