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Loved ones whose relatives buried in graves at risk from shoreline retreat say that indecision over how to address the problem is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones.

A Looming Danger to Historic Graveyards

The council have identified three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being consumed by the ocean in the next few generations.

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 more secure locations. Officials say it is for local people to determine how to move forward.

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

Projections suggest at least a portion of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Past

One resident recalled a school trip to the nearby village of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the water, along with its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold 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. It’s completely undignified.”

“I fear that the same thing that happened at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be bones on the beach. I’d be appalled by that.”

A Soldier's Grave in Jeopardy

Along the shoreline is situated the grave of a former paratrooper who died while working overseas. His parent expressed she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.

“It does trouble me to consider this won’t be his lasting resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant place to go.”

She believes, 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 watch carefully, but an early decision must be made when a tipping point has been reached.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

The lack of consensus over when and how to handle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling frustrated and worried.

Some are calling for additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to allow burials to continue for now. Different voices contend the time for relocation is drawing near.

“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And all parties is washing their hands over who is responsible.”

A local official confirmed the burial sites were under the care of the local diocese. “In the end it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

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

“Currently, there exists no unified opinion on what should happen yet. We need good community discussions to discover the appropriate answers for each community.”

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