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Loved ones whose relatives buried in graves at risk from coastal erosion say that indecision over how to address the problem is creating unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Ancient Graveyards

The council have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being swallowed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A recent report on the issue sets out a range of possible actions, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer locations. Officials say it is for the community to decide how to proceed.

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

Projections suggest at least a portion of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, along with its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this idealized notion that the deceased will just get carried away to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will collect remains as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of treasures. It’s completely undignified.”

“I fear that the same thing that happened at Eccles will occur here and there’ll be skeletons on the beach. I’d be disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Further up the coast is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper killed while serving overseas. His parent said she could not sleep after learning her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to consider this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “For us it’s an important place to go.”

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 closely monitor, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Searching for Solutions and Certainty

The lack of consensus over when and how to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling frustrated and worried.

Some want more sea defences to delay the inevitable erosion and to allow funerals to proceed for now. Different voices contend the time for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” a family member stated. “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 coastal manager said the graveyards were under the care of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the path to take. We are here to assist them through that journey with residents.”

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 unified opinion on what should happen yet. It requires good community discussions to find the right solutions for each village.”

The prospect of losing the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sadness for the local community,” but church representatives also spoke of a belief in resurrection, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.