Relatives' Distress Over Shoreline Degradation Threatening Norfolk Graves

Families of people laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion say that a lack of decision over how to address the issue is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the final resting places of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

The council have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being swallowed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A recent report on the situation sets out a range of possible actions, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and relocating them in more secure locations. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. My parents intended this to be their last home, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates suggest at least a portion of one graveyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen much sooner. “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 Past

One resident remembered a childhood visit to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, along with its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this idealized notion that the deceased will just get carried away to the ocean. They won’t. People will take bones as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that befell at Eccles will occur at Happisburgh and there’ll be skeletons on the beach. I’d be disgusted by that.”

A Soldier's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the shoreline is situated the grave of a ex-soldier killed while working overseas. His parent expressed she could not sleep after learning her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to think this won’t be his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant place to go.”

In her view, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been reached.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

The lack of consensus over the timing and method to tackle the challenge has resulted in bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families are calling for more sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to proceed for now. Different voices argue the time for moving graves is approaching.

“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was thorough, 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 graveyards were owned and managed of the local diocese. “In the end it is down to them to decide the path to take. Our role is here to assist them through that journey with communities.”

It was also stated there was time to consider all the choices. “We are talking decades before it starts to be lost.”

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

The prospect of the loss of the historic sites was labeled one of “profound sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in life after death, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the physical loss of hallowed earth.