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Families of people buried in graves at risk from coastal erosion say that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the issue is creating unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their departed family.

An Impending Threat to Historic Graveyards

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

A recent report on the situation details a range of possible actions, from taking no action to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer sites. Authorities say it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

“At the moment 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 graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles

A local business owner recalled a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that the deceased will just get carried away to the ocean. That is not the case. People will collect remains as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of treasures. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I’m worried that the identical fate that happened 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 Jeopardy

Along the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier who died while serving overseas. His mother said she lost sleep after learning her child's grave might one day be relocated.

“It truly trouble me to think this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “For us it’s an significant site to visit.”

In her view, new interments should stop but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a critical moment has been reached.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

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

Several families want additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Different voices contend the moment for relocation is drawing near.

“It is very emotive,” a family member stated. “The official study was really good, but now there’s confusion about how it is taken forward. And everybody is avoiding responsibility over who is accountable.”

A local official said the graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “In the end it is up to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to assist them through that process with residents.”

It was also stated there was time to consider all the options. “We are talking decades before it begins getting lost.”

“There is no common view on what should be done yet. We need good community discussions to discover the right solutions for each village.”

The prospect of the loss of the historic sites was labeled one of “profound sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a doctrine in resurrection, providing a theological viewpoint on the physical loss of hallowed earth.