Key Takeaways:
- The North Norfolk district council has identified three church graveyards at risk of being engulfed by the sea due to coastal erosion.
- Families of those buried in the graveyards are experiencing anguish and frustration due to indecision over how to tackle the problem.
- Options for addressing the issue include taking no action, exhuming remains and reburying them in safer locations, and building sea defences to slow erosion.
- Bereaved families are calling for a decision to be made on how to proceed, with some advocating for the relocation of graves and others pushing for the construction of sea defences.
- The Church of England and local authorities are encouraging local communities to come together to find solutions to the problem.
Introduction to the Issue
The coastal erosion in North Norfolk is posing a significant threat to the final resting places of loved ones buried in three church graveyards in the villages of Happisburgh, Trimingham, and Mundesley. The North Norfolk district council (NNDC) has identified these graveyards as being at risk of being engulfed by the sea in the coming decades, leaving families of the deceased in a state of uncertainty and anguish. A recent report on the issue has outlined various options for addressing the problem, including taking no action, exhuming remains and reburying them in safer locations, and building sea defences to slow erosion. However, the lack of consensus over when and how to tackle the problem has left bereaved families frustrated and anxious.
The Impact on Families
Families of those buried in the graveyards are experiencing significant emotional distress due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of their loved ones’ final resting places. Frank Mason, whose parents are buried in Happisburgh, expressed his concerns about the potential loss of the graveyard, stating that it upsets him to think that his parents’ final resting place may not be permanent. Mason fears that the graveyard could fall into the sea much sooner than projected, and is calling for the graves to be relocated to a safer location. Similarly, Sarah Greenwood, whose grandparents are buried in Happisburgh, is advocating for the construction of sea defences to slow erosion and allow burials to continue at the graveyard for now.
The Risk of Erosion
The risk of erosion is not just a distant threat, but a very real and present danger. The neighbouring village of Eccles has already experienced the devastating effects of coastal erosion, with its church and graveyard almost entirely disappearing into the sea. The remains of those buried in Eccles were exposed, and some were even taken as souvenirs by individuals. This has left families in the surrounding areas worried about the potential for similar incidents to occur. Mason and Greenwood are both haunted by the thought of what happened at Eccles, and are calling for action to be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in their own community.
The Church’s Response
The Church of England is encouraging local communities to come together to find solutions to the problem. The bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, stated that there is no common view on what should happen yet, and that good local conversations are needed to find the right solutions for each community. The Church is also emphasizing the importance of respecting the wishes of the deceased and their families, while also acknowledging the reality of the situation. Usher noted that the prospect of losing the churches and graveyards is one of immense sadness for the local community, but that the Christian church believes in resurrection and the idea that there is life after death.
The Need for a Decision
Bereaved families are calling for a decision to be made on how to proceed, with some advocating for the relocation of graves and others pushing for the construction of sea defences. Barbara Crouch, whose son is buried in Trimingham, is calling for new burials to stop, but believes it is too soon to exhume existing graves. She is advocating for a mass exhumation when the time comes, stating that it would be more bearable to do it together. The NNDC is supporting the diocese of Norwich in their decision-making process, with coastal transition manager Rob Goodliffe stating that the graveyards are owned and managed by the diocese, and that ultimately it is down to them to decide the direction to take.
Conclusion
The issue of coastal erosion and its impact on the graveyards in North Norfolk is a complex and emotive one. Families of the deceased are experiencing significant distress and uncertainty, and are calling for a decision to be made on how to proceed. The Church of England and local authorities are encouraging local communities to come together to find solutions to the problem, and are emphasizing the importance of respecting the wishes of the deceased and their families. Ultimately, a decision will need to be made on how to address the issue, and it is hoped that it will be made with the dignity and respect of the deceased and their families in mind.