🔗 Share this article Families' Anguish Over Shoreline Degradation Threatening Norfolk Burial Sites Families whose relatives buried in resting places at risk from coastal erosion state that a lack of decision over how to tackle the problem is creating avoidable anguish about the final resting places of their departed family. A Looming Threat to Ancient Graveyards The council have identified three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being consumed by the sea in the next few generations. A recent report on the situation details a range of options, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer sites. Officials say it is for local people to decide how to proceed. “Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. My parents wanted this to be their last home, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.” Estimates indicate at least a portion of one graveyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals 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,” one said. Haunted by the Ghosts of Eccles One resident recalled a school trip to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the sea, including its place of worship and burial ground. “It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that people’s remains will just get washed out to the ocean. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of treasures. That is completely disrespectful.” “I’m worried that the same thing that befell 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 shoreline is situated the grave of a ex-soldier killed while serving abroad. His mother expressed she could not sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be relocated. “It does trouble me to consider this won’t be his permanent resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an significant place to go.” She believes, new interments should stop but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an early decision must be made when a critical moment has been reached.” Seeking Answers and Certainty An absence of agreement over the timing and method to handle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling frustrated and anxious. Several families want more sea defences to delay the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to proceed for now. Different voices argue the moment for moving graves is drawing near. “The situation is very emotive,” said one relative. “The council’s report was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is implemented. And all parties is washing their hands over who is accountable.” A coastal manager said the burial sites were under the care of the church authorities. “In the end it is up to them to decide the path to take. Our role is here to assist them through that journey with residents.” It was also stated there was time to weigh all the choices. “This concerns many years before it starts to be lost.” “Currently, there exists no unified opinion on what should happen yet. It requires good community discussions to discover the right answers for each village.” The prospect of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “profound sorrow for the area,” but faith leaders also spoke of a doctrine in resurrection, offering a theological perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.