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Families of people buried in resting places at risk from coastal erosion state that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Threat to Ancient Graveyards

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

A newly published study on the situation sets out a series of options, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in more secure sites. Officials say it is for local people to determine how to proceed.

“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. They wanted this to be their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents worry it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got less than 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Past

One resident recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the water, including its place of worship and burial ground.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. People will take bones as mementos and go plundering graves in search of valuables. That is completely undignified.”

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

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Further up the coast lies the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while working abroad. His parent expressed she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be moved.

“It does trouble me to consider this may not remain his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant site to visit.”

She believes, new interments should stop but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “My preference for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

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

Several families are calling for additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to allow burials to continue for now. Different voices contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotional,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was thorough, 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 graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “In the end it is down to them to decide the path to take. We are here to assist them through that process with communities.”

It was also stated there was ample time to consider all the options. “This concerns decades before it begins getting lost.”

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. We need productive local conversations to find the right solutions for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “profound sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in life after death, providing a theological perspective on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.