Families' Heartache Over Shoreline Erosion Threatening Norfolk Graves
Families whose relatives buried in graves vulnerable to shoreline retreat argue that indecision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the final resting places of their loved ones.
A Looming Danger to Ancient Churchyards
Local authorities have identified three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being consumed by the ocean in the coming decades.
A recent report on the issue sets out a range of options, from doing nothing to exhuming remains and reburying them in more secure locations. Authorities maintain it is for local people to decide how to proceed.
“At the moment we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. They wanted this to be their final resting place, but it isn’t going to be because of the encroaching sea.”
Estimates suggest at least part of one graveyard could be claimed by the waves 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 look at what’s occurred in the last 30 years,” a farmer stated.
Haunted by the Past
A local business owner recalled a school trip to the neighbouring village of Eccles, which has largely disappeared into the water, including its church and graveyard.
“It was possible to see people’s bones,” she said. “Certain people hold this romantic idea that people’s remains will just get washed out to sea. That is not the case. Individuals will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing in search of treasures. That is completely disrespectful.”
“I fear that the same thing that befell at Eccles will happen at Happisburgh and there’ll be bones on the shore. I would feel appalled by that.”
A Paratrooper's Resting Place in Jeopardy
Further up the shoreline is situated the burial plot of a ex-soldier killed while working overseas. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be relocated.
“It truly trouble me to consider this won’t be his lasting resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an important site to visit.”
She believes, new burials should cease but says it is too soon to disturb current plots. “My preference for now is to take no action and closely monitor, but an timely resolution needs to be made when a tipping point has been attained.”
Searching for Answers and Certainty
An absence of consensus over the timing and method to tackle the problem has resulted in bereaved families feeling frustrated and anxious.
Some are calling for more coastal protections to slow the unavoidable loss and to allow funerals to proceed for now. Different voices argue the time for relocation is approaching.
“It is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was thorough, but now there’s confusion about how it is implemented. And all parties is avoiding responsibility over who is accountable.”
A local official said the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “Ultimately it is up to them to choose the path to take. Our role is here to help support them through that process with communities.”
He added there was ample time to consider all the options. “We are talking decades before it begins getting lost.”
“Currently, there exists no common view on what should happen yet. We need good community discussions to discover the appropriate answers for each village.”
The possibility of the loss of the churches and graveyards was labeled one of “immense sorrow for the area,” but faith leaders also spoke of a belief in resurrection, providing a spiritual perspective on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.
