Relatives' Anguish Regarding Coastal Erosion Threatening Coastal Norfolk Burial Sites

Families of people laid to rest in resting places at risk from coastal erosion say that indecision over how to address the issue is creating unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Ancient Churchyards

The council have identified three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being engulfed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A recent report on the issue details a range of options, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. My parents wanted this to be their final resting place, but it won't be because of the sea.”

Projections indicate at least a portion of one churchyard could be claimed by 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,” one said.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered a school trip to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has almost entirely vanished into the water, 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. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing looking for valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”

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

A Soldier's Resting Place in Peril

Along the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while serving abroad. His mother expressed she lost sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be moved.

“It does trouble me to think this won’t be his lasting home,” she said. “To our family it’s an important place to go.”

She believes, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “My preference for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a tipping point has been reached.”

Seeking Answers and Clarity

An absence of consensus over the timing and method to handle the challenge has resulted in bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families are calling for more coastal protections to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow funerals to continue for now. Others argue the moment for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And everybody is avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”

A coastal manager confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “In the end it is up to them to decide the path to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with communities.”

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

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. We need productive community discussions to discover the appropriate answers for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a doctrine in life after death, offering a spiritual viewpoint on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.