🔗 Share this article Relatives' Anguish Over Shoreline Erosion Endangering Coastal Norfolk Burial Sites Families whose relatives buried in resting places at risk from shoreline retreat argue that indecision over how to tackle the issue is causing them unnecessary distress concerning the eternal homes of their loved ones. A Looming Threat to Ancient Graveyards The council have singled out three burial grounds in the villages of Happisburgh, Mundesley, and Trimingham as being in danger of being swallowed by the sea in the coming decades. A recent report on the situation details a range of possible actions, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in more secure locations. Authorities maintain it is for local people to determine how to proceed. “At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It upsets me. My parents wanted this to serve as their last home, but it won't be because of the sea.” Projections suggest at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen far earlier. “In my view it’s got less than 20 years, if you consider what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” one said. Troubled by the Past One resident recalled a school trip to the nearby village of Eccles, which has almost entirely 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 romantic idea that people’s remains will just get carried away to the ocean. That is not the case. Individuals will collect remains as souvenirs and go grave robbing in search of valuables. It’s completely undignified.” “I’m worried that the same thing that befell at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I would feel appalled by that.” A Paratrooper's Grave in Jeopardy Further up the shoreline is situated the grave of a ex-soldier who died while serving overseas. His parent said 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 permanent resting place,” she said. “To our family it’s an important site to visit.” In her view, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to exhume existing graves. “What I would choose for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an early decision needs to be made when a critical moment has been attained.” Seeking Answers and Clarity An absence of consensus over the timing and method to tackle the problem has resulted in grieving relatives feeling frustrated and worried. Some are calling for more coastal protections to slow the inevitable erosion and to allow burials to continue for now. Others contend the time for relocation is approaching. “It is very emotive,” 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 local official said the graveyards were under the care of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that journey with communities.” He added there was time to weigh all the options. “We are talking decades before it begins getting lost.” “There is no common view on what should be done yet. We need good local conversations to discover the right answers for each community.” The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was described as one of “profound sadness for the area,” but church representatives also referenced a belief in resurrection, providing a theological perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.