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Families whose relatives laid to rest in resting places vulnerable to coastal erosion say that indecision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish concerning the final resting places of their departed family.

An Impending Danger to Ancient Graveyards

Local authorities have singled out three church graveyards in the communities of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley as being at risk of being swallowed by the sea in the next few generations.

A newly published study on the issue sets out a range of possible actions, from doing nothing to disinterring bodies and reburying them in safer locations. Officials maintain it is for local people to determine how to move forward.

“Right now we’re in a state of uncertainty. It causes me distress. They wanted this to serve as their last home, but it won't be because of the encroaching sea.”

Estimates suggest at least a portion of one graveyard could be claimed by the sea in the next 80 years, but some locals worry it will happen far earlier. “I think it’s got less than 20 years, if you look at what’s happened in the last 30 years,” one said.

Haunted by the Past

A local business owner recalled a childhood visit to the nearby settlement of Eccles, which has largely 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 washed out to sea. They won’t. People will collect remains as mementos and go grave robbing looking for valuables. It’s completely disrespectful.”

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

A Paratrooper's Grave in Peril

Along the coast lies the grave of a former paratrooper who died while serving overseas. His parent said she lost sleep after discovering her son’s grave might one day be moved.

“It truly trouble me to consider this won’t be his lasting resting place,” she said. “For us it’s an important place to go.”

She believes, new burials should stop but says it is premature to exhume current plots. “My preference for now is to do nothing and watch carefully, but an early decision must be made when a tipping point has been attained.”

Seeking Solutions and Certainty

An absence of agreement over the timing and method to tackle the problem has left grieving relatives feeling exasperated and anxious.

Several families want additional sea defences to delay the unavoidable loss and to permit burials to continue for now. Others contend the moment for relocation is approaching.

“The situation is very emotional,” said one relative. “The official study was really good, but now there’s uncertainty about how it is taken forward. And all parties is avoiding responsibility over who is responsible.”

A local official confirmed the burial sites were owned and managed of the church authorities. “In the end it is down to them to decide the path to take. We are here to assist them through that journey with communities.”

He added there was time to consider all the choices. “We are talking many years before it starts to be lost.”

“There is no unified opinion on what should be done yet. We need productive local conversations to find the right answers for each village.”

The prospect of losing the historic sites was described as one of “profound sorrow for the local community,” but faith leaders also referenced a belief in resurrection, providing a spiritual viewpoint on the temporal disappearance of hallowed earth.