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Loved ones whose relatives buried in graves at risk from coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is creating unnecessary distress concerning the final resting places of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

Local authorities have singled out 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 situation sets out a range of possible actions, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer locations. Officials say it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

“At the moment we’re in limbo. It upsets me. My parents wanted this to serve as their last home, but it won't be because of the sea.”

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

Haunted by the Past

A local business owner remembered a childhood visit to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, including its church and graveyard.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely undignified.”

“I fear that the same thing that befell at Eccles will occur here and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the coast is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while serving abroad. His mother expressed she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this won’t be his permanent home,” she said. “For us it’s an significant place to go.”

She believes, new burials should stop but says it is too soon to exhume current plots. “What I would choose for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an timely resolution must be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Searching for Answers and Clarity

The lack of agreement over the timing and method to handle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling frustrated and worried.

Some want additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the time for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is taken forward. And all parties is washing their hands over who is responsible.”

A coastal manager confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the path to take. We are here to assist them through that journey with communities.”

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

“There is no common view on what should happen yet. It requires productive local conversations to discover the right answers for each village.”

The prospect of losing the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in life after death, providing a theological perspective on the temporal loss of hallowed earth.