Families' Heartache Over Coastal Degradation Threatening Norfolk Burial Sites

Loved ones whose relatives laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that indecision on how best to address the problem is creating unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards

Local authorities have singled out three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being consumed by the sea in the next few generations.

A recent report on the issue details a series of possible actions, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and relocating them in more secure locations. Authorities maintain it is for the community to decide how to move forward.

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

Estimates indicate at least a portion of one graveyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some residents fear it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Past

A local business owner remembered a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, including its place of worship and burial ground.

“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get carried away to the ocean. That is not the case. People will collect remains as mementos and go plundering graves looking for valuables. It’s completely undignified.”

“I’m worried that the same thing that happened at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be bones on the shore. I’d be disgusted by that.”

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Along the coast is situated the grave of a ex-soldier who died while serving overseas. His parent expressed she lost sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to consider this may not remain his permanent home,” she said. “To our family 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 take no action and closely monitor, but an timely resolution must be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Seeking Answers and Certainty

An absence of agreement over when and how to tackle the challenge has left bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families want more coastal protections to delay the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to continue for now. Others contend the time for moving graves is drawing near.

“It is very emotive,” said one relative. “The council’s report 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 local official said the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to decide the direction to take. We are here to assist them through that process with residents.”

It was also stated there was ample time to consider all the options. “We are talking many years before it starts to be lost.”

“Currently, there exists no common view on what should happen yet. It requires productive community discussions to find the appropriate solutions for each village.”

The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “profound sorrow for the area,” but church representatives also spoke of a doctrine in resurrection, offering a spiritual perspective on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.