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Loved ones of people laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to shoreline retreat argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Graveyards

Local authorities have identified three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being swallowed by the sea in the coming decades.

A recent report on the issue details a range of possible actions, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and reburying them in more secure sites. Officials say it is for local people to decide how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. My parents wanted this to serve as their final resting place, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one graveyard 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 look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

One resident remembered a childhood visit to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the sea, including its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. People will collect remains as mementos and go plundering graves in search of valuables. That is completely undignified.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that happened at Eccles will occur at Happisburgh and there’ll be bones on the shore. I would feel appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Further up the shoreline lies the grave of a ex-soldier who died while serving overseas. His parent said she lost sleep after learning her son’s final plot might one day be moved.

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

She believes, new burials should stop but says it is too soon to disturb current plots. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Searching for Answers and Certainty

The lack of agreement over the timing and method to handle the problem has left bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Some are calling for more coastal protections to delay the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to proceed for now. Different voices contend the moment for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” said one relative. “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 said the burial sites were owned and managed of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

He added there was ample time to weigh all the choices. “We are talking many years before it starts to be lost.”

“Currently, there exists no unified opinion on what should happen yet. We need good local conversations to find the right answers for each village.”

The prospect of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in life after death, providing a spiritual perspective on the physical loss of sacred ground.