Relatives' Heartache Over Coastal Erosion Endangering Coastal Norfolk Graves
Families whose relatives buried in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion argue that a lack of decision over how to tackle the issue is causing them unnecessary distress about the eternal homes of their loved ones.
A Looming Threat to Historic Churchyards
Local authorities have identified three church graveyards in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being in danger of being engulfed by the ocean in the coming decades.
A newly published study on the issue details a range of options, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and relocating them in safer sites. Authorities say it is for local people to determine how to proceed.
“At the moment we’re in limbo. It upsets me. They intended this to serve as their final resting place, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”
Estimates indicate at least part of one graveyard could fall into the waves in the next 80 years, but some locals fear it will happen much sooner. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you consider what’s happened in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.
Haunted by the Past
One resident recalled a childhood visit to the neighbouring settlement of Eccles, which has almost entirely disappeared into the water, including its church and graveyard.
“You could see people’s bones,” she said. “Some have this idealized notion that the deceased will just get washed out to the ocean. They won’t. People will collect remains as souvenirs and go plundering graves looking for treasures. It’s completely disrespectful.”
“I’m worried that the identical fate that happened at Eccles will happen here and there’ll be skeletons on the shore. I would feel appalled by that.”
A Soldier's Grave in Jeopardy
Further up the shoreline lies the burial plot of a ex-soldier who died while serving abroad. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s final plot might one day be relocated.
“It does disturb me to think this won’t be his lasting home,” she said. “For us it’s an important site to visit.”
She believes, new interments should cease but says it is too soon to disturb existing graves. “My preference for now is to do nothing and closely monitor, but an early decision needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”
Seeking Solutions and Certainty
An absence of consensus over when and how to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling frustrated and worried.
Several families are calling for additional sea defences to slow the inevitable erosion and to permit burials to continue for now. Others argue the moment for relocation is approaching.
“The situation 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 avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”
A local official said the burial sites were owned and managed 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 residents.”
It was also stated there was time to weigh all the options. “This concerns decades before it begins getting lost.”
“There is no common view on what should be done yet. We need productive community discussions to discover the appropriate answers for each community.”
The prospect of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sorrow for the area,” but church representatives also spoke of a doctrine in life after death, providing a theological perspective on the physical disappearance of hallowed earth.