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Families whose relatives laid to rest in graves at risk from coastal erosion say that indecision on how best to address the problem is creating avoidable anguish concerning the final resting places of their departed family.

An Impending Danger to Historic Churchyards

The council have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being engulfed by the ocean in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue details a range of options, from taking no action to exhuming remains and relocating them in safer locations. Officials maintain it is for the community to determine how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in limbo. It causes me distress. They intended this to be their final resting place, but it won't be because of the sea.”

Estimates indicate at least part of one churchyard could fall into the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals fear 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 settlement of Eccles, which has largely vanished into the sea, along with its place of worship and burial ground.

“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this romantic idea that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. That is not the case. Individuals will take bones as mementos and go grave robbing in search of valuables. It’s completely disrespectful.”

“I fear that the same thing that befell at Eccles will happen at Happisburgh and there’ll be skeletons on the beach. I would feel disgusted by that.”

A Soldier's Resting Place in Jeopardy

Along the coast lies the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while working overseas. His mother said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.

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

She believes, new interments should cease but says it is premature to exhume current plots. “My preference for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a critical moment has been attained.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

An absence of agreement over when and how to tackle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling exasperated and anxious.

Several families want additional coastal protections to slow the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the time for relocation is drawing near.

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

A coastal manager confirmed the graveyards were under the care of the local diocese. “Ultimately it is down to them to decide the path to take. We are here to help support them through that journey with residents.”

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

“Currently, there exists no unified opinion on what should be done yet. It requires good community discussions to find the appropriate answers for each village.”

The possibility of losing the churches and graveyards was described as one of “immense sadness for the area,” but faith leaders also referenced a doctrine in life after death, offering a theological perspective on the physical loss of hallowed earth.