Relatives' Heartache Over Coastal Erosion Endangering Norfolk Burial Sites
Families whose relatives laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion say that indecision on how best to address the problem is causing them unnecessary distress about the final resting places of their departed family.
An Impending Threat to Ancient Churchyards
The council have singled out three burial grounds in the communities of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being engulfed by the sea in the coming decades.
A newly published study on the situation sets out a series of possible actions, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in safer locations. Officials say it is for local people to determine how to proceed.
“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. They wanted this to serve as their final resting place, but it won't be because of the sea.”
Projections indicate at least a portion of one churchyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen far earlier. “I think it’s got under 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said.
Troubled by the Ghosts of Eccles
One resident recalled a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, including its church and graveyard.
“It was possible to 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 collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing in search of valuables. That is completely disrespectful.”
“I’m worried that the identical fate that happened at Eccles will happen at Happisburgh 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 burial plot of a former paratrooper killed while working overseas. His parent expressed she could not sleep after discovering her child's grave might one day be moved.
“It truly trouble me to think this won’t be his permanent home,” she said. “To our family it’s an important place to go.”
In her view, new interments should stop but says it is too soon to exhume existing graves. “My preference for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”
Seeking Answers and Certainty
An absence of agreement over when and how to tackle the problem has left bereaved families feeling frustrated and worried.
Some want more coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the time for moving graves is approaching.
“The situation is very emotional,” a family member stated. “The council’s report was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is taken forward. And everybody is washing their hands over who is responsible.”
A coastal manager confirmed the graveyards were owned and managed of the local diocese. “In the end it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that process with communities.”
It was also stated there was ample time to consider all the options. “This concerns many years before it starts to be lost.”
“Currently, there exists no common view on what should be done yet. We need productive local conversations to discover the right answers for each village.”
The prospect of the loss of the historic sites was labeled one of “immense sadness for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in life after death, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.