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Families of people laid to rest in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision on how best to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish concerning the final resting places of their loved ones.

An Impending Danger to Ancient Churchyards

The council have singled out three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being at risk of being engulfed by the sea in the next few generations.

A recent report on the situation details a series of possible actions, from taking no action to disinterring bodies and reburying them in more secure locations. Authorities say it is for local people to decide how to proceed.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It upsets me. My parents wanted this to be their final resting place, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”

Projections suggest at least part of one churchyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some residents worry it will happen much sooner. “In my view it’s got under 20 years, if you look at what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Past

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, along with its church and graveyard.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that the deceased will just get washed out to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go plundering graves looking for treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that happened at Eccles will occur at Happisburgh and there’ll be bones on the beach. I would feel appalled by that.”

A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the coast lies the burial plot of a former paratrooper killed while working overseas. His parent said she lost sleep after learning her child's final plot might one day be relocated.

“It truly disturb me to consider this may not remain his lasting home,” she said. “For us it’s an important site to visit.”

In her view, new interments should stop but says it is too soon to disturb current plots. “My preference for now is to take no action and watch carefully, but an timely resolution 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 left bereaved families feeling exasperated and worried.

Several families want additional coastal protections to slow the inevitable erosion and to permit funerals to proceed for now. Different voices contend the moment for moving graves is approaching.

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

A coastal manager confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the direction to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with communities.”

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 unified opinion on what should be done yet. It requires good community discussions to discover the right solutions for each community.”

The possibility of losing the historic sites was labeled one of “immense sorrow for the area,” but church representatives also spoke of a belief in life after death, providing a theological perspective on the temporal disappearance of sacred ground.