🔗 Share this article

Families of people buried in resting places at risk from shoreline retreat state that a lack of decision over how to address the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the eternal homes of their loved ones.

An Impending Danger to Ancient Graveyards

Local authorities have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being swallowed by the ocean in the coming decades.

A newly published study on the issue details a range of possible actions, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and reburying them in more secure sites. Authorities say it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

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

Estimates suggest at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen far earlier. “I think it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, including 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 sea. They won’t. Individuals will take bones as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely undignified.”

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

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Along the shoreline is situated the grave of a former paratrooper who died while serving abroad. His mother expressed she could not sleep after discovering her child's final plot might one day be relocated.

“It does disturb me to consider this won’t be his lasting resting place,” she said. “To our family it’s an important place to go.”

She believes, new interments should cease but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “My preference for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, 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 tackle the problem has left bereaved families feeling frustrated and worried.

Several families want additional sea defences to delay the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to continue for now. Others argue the moment for relocation is drawing near.

“It is very emotive,” said one relative. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And all parties is washing their hands over who is accountable.”

A local official confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “In the end it is up to them to decide the path to take. We are here to help support them through that process with residents.”

It was also stated there was ample time to weigh all the options. “This concerns decades before it begins getting lost.”

“There is no common view on what should happen yet. It requires good local conversations to find the appropriate answers for each community.”

The possibility of losing the churches and graveyards was described as one of “immense sorrow for the local community,” but church representatives also referenced a belief in life after death, offering a spiritual perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.