Relatives' Anguish Regarding Shoreline Erosion Endangering Norfolk Burial Sites

Families whose relatives laid to rest in graves at risk from coastal erosion argue that indecision on how best to tackle the problem is causing them unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their departed family.

A Looming Danger to Historic Churchyards

Local authorities have identified three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being engulfed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue sets out a series of options, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer locations. Authorities say it is for the community to decide how to proceed.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. They wanted this to serve as their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the sea.”

Projections indicate at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents 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,” a farmer stated.

Troubled by the Past

One resident recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the water, including its church and graveyard.

“You could see human remains,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. That is not the case. People will take bones as mementos and go plundering graves looking for treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I’m worried that the same thing that happened at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be skeletons on the beach. I would feel disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Peril

Further up the coast is situated the burial plot of a former paratrooper who died while working overseas. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be relocated.

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

In her view, new burials should stop but says it is too soon to exhume existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an timely resolution must be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

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

Several families want additional coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to proceed for now. Others contend the moment for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “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 coastal manager said the graveyards were under the care of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to decide the direction to take. Our role is here to assist them through that process with residents.”

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

“There is no unified opinion on what should happen yet. We need good community discussions to find the appropriate answers for each community.”

The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “immense sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also spoke of a belief in life after death, offering a theological viewpoint on the physical loss of sacred ground.