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Families of people buried in graves at risk from shoreline retreat argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the problem is creating unnecessary distress concerning the final resting places of their loved ones.

An Impending Danger to Ancient Churchyards

Local authorities have identified three burial grounds 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 options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to proceed.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. They intended this to be their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates suggest at least part of one graveyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got less than 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 childhood visit to the nearby village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, including its church and graveyard.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing looking for treasures. It’s completely undignified.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that befell at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I would feel disgusted by that.”

A Soldier's Resting Place in Peril

Along the coast is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while serving abroad. His parent expressed she could not sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be moved.

“It truly disturb me to consider this won’t be his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an important site to visit.”

In her view, new interments should cease but says it is premature to disturb current plots. “My preference for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an timely resolution must be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

An absence of agreement over the timing and method to handle the challenge has left bereaved families feeling frustrated and anxious.

Some want more coastal protections to delay the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to continue for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The official study was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And everybody is washing their hands over who is accountable.”

A local official confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the local diocese. “In the end it is up to them to choose the direction to take. We are here to assist them through that process with communities.”

He added there was ample time to consider all the choices. “This concerns decades before it starts to be lost.”

“There is no common view on what should happen yet. We need productive community discussions to find the right solutions for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the historic sites was described as one of “immense sadness for the area,” but church representatives also spoke of a belief in life after death, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.