Funeral and Burial Arrangement

• Registering the death of a person is the first and key obligation to be fulfilled by a close relative of the deceased, i.e. the informant, whether the cause of death is natural or unnatural.
• Under section 14 of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, Chapter 174, Laws of Hong Kong, it shall be the duty for the informant (being the nearest relative or other relevant person of the deceased) to register a death from natural causes within 24 hours (exclusive of the time necessary for the journey and of any intervening hours of darkness and of general holidays as defined by the General Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 149)) after such death.
• In most cases, the registered medical practitioner who attended the deceased person during his or her last illness will sign and issue a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (Form 18). The informant will need to take it together with the identity card or passport of the deceased person to the Deaths Registry for registration of the death.
• A death from unnatural causes need not be registered by any relative of the deceased. For a death resulted from unnatural causes such as poison or violence, the case will be reported to the Coroner. The Coroner may conduct a post-mortem examination or an inquest to determine the cause of death. When the cause of death is determined, the Coroner will inform the Registrar of Deaths to register the death. The Registrar will then notify the family members of the deceased in writing after the death is registered.

A Death from Natural Cause Requiring Urgent Burial

If urgent removal or burial of the dead body is necessary for religious or other reasons outside the opening hours of the Joint Office or the Births and Deaths General Register Office, the applicant can apply for the following document from the nearest police station to facilitate the urgent burial:

• “Permit for Removal and Burial of Dead Body” [Form 8].

Funeral

When a loved one passed away, one has to make post-death arrangements in grief. It is one’s wish to arrange post-death matters well for the deceased person to show remembrance and respect. In Hong Kong, there are different forms of burial: burial and cremation, and the emerging green burial in recent years, including scattering of cremains at sea or in Gardens of Remembrance.

Arrangements for a Funeral

• In general, staff of licensed undertakers may assist in handling cremation or burial matters, such as:
  • Application for the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12] (commonly known as “going-out pass”);
  • Application for the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] (commonly known as “burial permit”);
  • Application for the “Cremation Permit” [Form 3]; and
  • Booking of cremation session or burial location.
• Relatives can arrange a funeral in licensed undertaker, funeral parlours and religious venues. They may consider to engage a licensed undertaker to arrange farewell service in the hospital.

A. Licensed Undertakers (“Coffin Shops”)

• The licensed undertakers do not have such facilities as mortuaries and service halls. Their services mainly include the transportation of bodies, arrangement of funerals and booking of funeral parlours.
• Currently, there are more than 120 licensed undertakers in Hong Kong. They are mainly in Hung Hom, Yau Ma Tei and Sheung Wan. The list of the undertakers is available at the webpage of FEHD: http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lu.pdf.

B. Funeral Parlours

The present 7 licensed funeral parlours in Hong Kong have service halls and mortuary facilities for storage and handling human remains.

For details, please refer to Licensed Funeral Parlous under FEHD, Saying Goodbye –Funeral and Burial Arrangement under Community Resources

C. “Farewell Services” in Hospitals

• If the deceased passed away in a hospital, the relatives may consider engaging a licensed undertaker to arrange farewell service in the hospital. 
• Most hospitals have farewell rooms (or similar rooms) for the relatives to hold simple memorial rites. Afterwards, the body will be transported directly to a crematorium or cemetery for cremation or burial. 
• In general, farewell services in the hospital are available only to patients who passed away in that hospital.

For details, please refer to “Farewell Services” of Hospitals, Saying Goodbye –Funeral and Burial Arrangement under Community Resources

D. Coffins and Funeral objects

• Chinese-style Coffins are suitable for Land burial. Eco – coffin is made with eco-honeycomb cardboard which requires a shorter time for cremation and saves energy. Western-style coffins are suitable for Cremation or Land burial.
• Government maintains strict control over cremator emissions to avoid causing air pollution. Unsuitable coffins and / or objects inside the coffin will affect the operation of cremators, which may result in air pollution.
• In order to forestall environmental pollution, coffins should be chosen those with dimensions no larger than 710 mm in height / 760 mm in width / 1 980 mm in length. 
• The external surface of the coffin should not be fitted with metal ornaments or plastic (e.g. Polyvinyl Chloride, that is PVC) attachments. 
• No metal or plastic objects, or any other expensive funeral objects, should be put into the coffins.
• It is required to remove all ornaments (including metal or plastic attachments) on the external surface of the coffin before cremation.

 Eco-coffin Paper coffins are more environmentally friendly than wooden coffins, because it takes about a tree of wood to make a wooden coffin, and the material of the eco-coffin is recycled paper. Eco-coffins are suitable for cremation and can generally bear a weight of more than 250 pounds.

Benefits of Eco-coffins include:

• Cutting less trees
• Reducing the impurities of human ashes
• Minimising the emissions in the course of cremation
• Shorter time for cremation which save the energy effectively
• Reliable and affordable quality and price

For details, please visit coffinse.pdf (fehd.gov.hk).

The form of burial can be cremation and burial.

Application for burial

A burial site can be obtained on application and payment of the prescribed fee through a licensed undertaker at the respective Cemetery Office.

• There are public cemeteries and private cemeteries.

A. Public cemeteries

• Burial sites are available for application at the following public cemeteries managed by FEHD:
  • Wo Hop Shek Cemetery
  • Cheung Chau Cemetery
  • Tai O Cemetery
  • Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo
• Applications for coffin burial at the cemeteries at Cheung Chau, Tai O or Lai Chi Yuen at Mui Wo must be supported by documents issued by the relevant rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
• Burials in aforesaid public cemeteries are not permanent, but exhumable.
• It is required to remove from graves of all human remains which have been interred in the aforesaid public cemeteries for more than six years. If the remains are not exhumed after expiry of the exhumation order, the Government will disinter the remains, cremate them, and re-inter the ashes in the Communal Grave at Sandy Ridge Cemetery.
• One can arrange, through an undertaker, to have the remains exhumed, and either cremated, or reburied in an urn grave in the Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

Application procedures

• The applicant or the hired licensed undertaker shall contact the office of the cemetery where the deceased is to be buried to book the date of burial.
• On the day of burial, the applicant must bring along the following documents to the cemetery office concerned for processing:
  • a completed “Application for Burial at Public Cemetery” [FEHB 144] (the particulars of the hired licensed undertaker must be provided in the form, which must also be stamped with the undertaker’s chop recognized by FEHD); and
  • the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10]; or
  • the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order”).
• After checking the documents, the FEHD will allocate a burial site to the eligible applicant on the date of application.
• After the burial, FEHD will collect the fee required from the licensed undertaker hired by the applicant.
• On the day the tombstone is erected, the applicant must be present to ensure that the tombstone is placed at the grave where the coffin is interred.
• Relatives of the deceased or the authorised undertaker may plan for the erection of a tombstone in a public cemetery by a mason registered with FEHD (the list of registered masons is available at the department webpage: (http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lmp.pdf). Charges usually vary according to the quality of the stone and the inscription required.
• The applicant should apply to the cemetery office concerned in advance if the deceased's name inscribed on the tombstone is different from the one registered with FEHD.

B. Private Cemeteries

• There are two types of graves in private cemeteries, including permanent graves and those which require timely “exhumation”. Enquiries about the application for a burial site in a private cemetery and details of charges should be made direct to the management of the cemetery concerned.
• Private cemeteries include the following:

Application for Cremation 

• If the deceased will be cremated, the applicant should obtain a “Cremation Permit” [Form 3] from the Department of Health and book a cremation session at a crematorium from FEHD in the joint office. 
• Upon issue of the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12] (commonly known as “going-out pass”) by the Joint Office, the applicant may also apply for the “Cremation Permit” [Form 3] at the same office. 
• Cremation can be arranged without the “Cremation Permit” [Form 3] if the “Certificate of Order Authorising Cremation of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “cremation order”) has been issued by the Coroner. 
• The applicant can book a cremation session within the next 15 days from the day the application is made. Bookings of cremation sessions of the crematoria are processed on a first-come-first-served basis.  There are six crematoria operated by FEHD. 
• A licensed undertaker can be authorized for the application of cremation and the booking of the cremation session. 
• One can choose to self-book the cremation session. 
• When fixing the date of cremation, the applicant must ensure that the time for funeral procession ties in with the booked cremation session. 
• The FEHD operates a chit system to facilitate the booking of cremation sessions at the counter. 
• Upon completion of the application, an official receipt and the cremator booking particulars will be given to the applicant for verification.   
• FEHD will issue a “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” to the applicant after cremation. 

Self-booking of cremation session 

• The form “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135] should be completed. The particulars of the hired licensed undertaker must be provided in the application form, which must also be signed and stamped with the undertaker’s chop recognized by FEHD. 
• All forms of FEHD are uploaded at: https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/forms/index_forms.html for public download. 
• The applicant must bring along the following documents to the Joint Office: 
  • the duly completed “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135]; and 
  • the original “Cremation Permit” [Form 3]; or 
  • the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Cremation of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “cremation order”). 
• The applicant may choose to book the cremation session over the counter of the FEHD at the Joint Office or through online booking and pay the required fee. 
• For booking of cremation session online, the applicant will be given a token which will be used to book online through the FEHD website (http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/booking_online.html). 

Booking of cremation session by an authorised licensed undertaker or appointed person 

• The applicant may choose to authorise a licensed undertaker to book a cremation session and later collect the cremated ashes of the deceased on their behalf. 
• If the applicant authorises the staff of licensed undertaker or other person to book the cremation session, the applicant or authorised person shall complete and sign on the relevant parts of the application form “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135]. Licensed undertaker shall also sign and stamp with its chop on relevant parts of the application form. 
• The original copy of the Certificate of Registration of Death and the Cremation Permit of the deceased, the copy of Hong Kong identity Card/ Passport of the deceased, the applicant and the authorized person shall be produced during submission of the application form for vetting. 

Online Cremation Application and Pre-paid System 

• Applicants or their proxies / undertakers can complete the application form of “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135] and make payment online in advance 
• Applicants or their proxies / undertakers who wish to avail themselves of the service need to register for an account at the "Online Cremation Application and Pre-paid System" before completing the application form and pre-paying the cremation fee online.  
• The "Online Cremation Application and Pre-paid System" operates 24 hours a day (except during system maintenance).   
• Each application form for cremation service is provided with a QR code.  The staff at the application counter can retrieve the information filled in the form via the system by simply scanning the code. 
• Applicants or their proxies / undertakers can pre-pay the cremation fee by credit card or Payment by Phone Service (PPS). 
• After pre-payment, they can print out the receipt and the completed application form for cremation service (FEHB 135), with a QR code, from the system / email. 
• Applicants or their proxies / undertakers are required to submit the signed application form (FEHB 135), the pre-payment receipt and the originals of relevant documents (e.g. Certificate of Registration of Death, Cremation Permit, etc.) at FEHD's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cremation Booking Office to go through the cremation application formalities or apply for a token for online cremation booking. 

For details of crematorium at FEHD , please refer to Saying Goodbye –Funeral and Burial Arrangement under Community Resources  

Application for Express Cremation Session of the deceased 

• If members of the public need to arrange cremation for their deceased as soon as possible with specific reasons, they can submit their application and relevant supporting documents to FEHD for approval.   
• The criterion for processing such applications is that relatives/close friends of the deceased are unable to attend the funeral held at the cremation session allocated under the normal booking procedure (except the Cheung Chau Crematorium). 
• The Department has to provide the express cremation service at Cape Collinson Crematorium normally within the next 2 working days to the public.  The time slot is either 15:30 hrs or 15:45 hrs. 
• The applicant can apply in person, or together with staff of the licensed undertaker (who shall bring along the business’s chop), at Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office (Address: 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong) or Cheung Sha Wan Cremation Booking Office (Address: 1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Kowloon). 
• Applicants are not allowed to choose the cremation date of the service.  The Department will allocate the express cremation session in order on a first-come-first-served basis. 
• The procedures of application are as follow: 
• Complete the “Certificate of Order Authorizing Cremation of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “cremation order”) 
• The form must bear the business chop of the licensed undertaker 
• Submit the completed form with the original copy of Cremation Order or Cremation Permit issued by the Department of Health. 
• Submit supporting documents such as the following: 
  • a valid airline ticket for the applicant to leave Hong Kong; or 
  • letter from the applicant's employer or school attended by the relatives, certifying that they have to leave Hong Kong before the normal cremation session booked; or 
  • a valid tourist visa of the applicant; or 
  • documents of appointment for marriage / medical appointment of the applicant; or 
  • documents providing other special reasons. 

A. If Buried at Public Cemeteries

• According to the existing legislation, human cadavers buried in public cemeteries for up to six years have to be exhumed from graves.
• After burial for six years, an applicant should complete the “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148], and bring along the following documentary proof:
  • documentary proof of their relationship with the deceased (If such proof is not available, the applicant is required to take an oath at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon);
  • original Certificate of Registration of Death; and
  • the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] (commonly known as “burial permit”); or
  • the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “cremation order”) (If the said document is not available, an application for the deceased’s death document must be made beforehand at the Deaths Registry of Immigration Department)
  • to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon to apply for the “Permit to Remove/ Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A]. Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
• After completing the procedures, the applicant should engage a registered mason to exhume the remains. The list of registered masons is available at FEHD webpage:http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lmp.pdf.
• After exhumation of the remains, the relevant cemeteries office will issue the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150] to the applicant. This document is applicable to cremation of exhumed remains, re-burial at a public cemetery, re-burial at an urn grave of a private cemetery or deposit in an ossuary of a private cemetery.
• If the remains are not exhumed upon expiry of the time limit, FEHD will publish a notice concerning the removal of human remains which have been buried in coffin graves for a period of not less than six years in the gazette and newspapers. Letters will also be sent to the parties concerned who have not exhumed the remains to advise them to carry out the exhumation within the specified period. Otherwise, FEHD will exhume the remains, cremate them, and re-inter the ashes in the communal grave at the Sandy Ridge Cemetery.

B. If Buried at Private Cemeteries

• Human remains buried in private cemeteries should be exhumed by the specified expiry date as stipulated by respective private cemeteries.
• An applicant should complete the “Application for Permit to Remove/ Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148] and bring along the following documentary proof:
  • original Certificate of Registration of Death; 
  • the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] (commonly known as “burial permit”); or
  • the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body” [Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order”) (if the said document is not available, an application for the deceased’s death document must be made beforehand at the Deaths Registry of Immigration Department); and 
  • the approval document for exhumation of remains issued by the respective cemetery,
  • to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon to apply for:
    • the “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A]; and
    • the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150].
• The applicant may also fill in an e-form and submit the application online.
• Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
• After completing the procedures, the applicant should arrange exhumation of the remains according to the requirements of the respective private cemetery.

C. If Buried at Places other than Cemeteries

• An applicant should complete the “Application for Exhumation of Remains at Places Other Than Cemeteries” [FEHB 241] and “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148] and bring along the following documents:
  • original Certificate of Registration of Death;
  • the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] (commonly known as “burial permit”); or 
  • the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body”[Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order”) (if the said document is not available, an application for the deceased’s death document must be made beforehand at the Deaths Registry of Immigration Department);
  • documentary proof of his / her relationship with the deceased. If such proof is not available, the applicant is required to take an oath at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD;
  • produce four recent photos of the concerned grave / urn, two distant (i.e. the grave headstone / urn approximately occupy not more than 30% of total photos area of ) showing the surrounding environment and two close-up view (the grave headstone / urn approximately occupy at least 70% of total area of photos) with all inscriptions on the tombstone clearly shown; and
  • the original and a copy of the document permitting the burial issued by the private cemetery concerned (in case the applicant wishes to have the exhumed remains re-buried in a private cemetery),
  • to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon for processing.
• Within 10 days from the date of approval and issue of “Permit to Remove /Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A], the concerned venue staff of FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange a site visit to the concerned grave/urn for on-site supervision of exhumation.
• After completing the procedures, the applicant should engage a registered mason to exhume the remains. (Exhumation must be conducted under supervision of FEHD staff, otherwise FEHD may refuse to provide skeletal cremation service for the removed remains, issue a permit for their removal or provide related services.)
• If the concerned grave/urn is not tally with the application during supervision of exhumation, the exhumation work shall not be conducted. FEHD will revoke the approval and the issued Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains” The fees and charges paid are not refundable.
• After completion of exhumation, an “Authorization to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150] will be given to the applicant on the spot. 
• Applicant may bring along the “Authorization to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150] to the above offices to apply other services (e.g. allocation of urn grave or cremation of skeletal remains).
• Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online. Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.

A. Cremation

For cremation of exhumed remains, while an applicant is arranging for exhumation of remains at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon, he/ she may obtain and complete the following form:

• “Application for Cremation of Skeletal Remains” [FEHB 263]. After completing the procedures and payment of fee, the applicant will be given a receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains.
• The applicant should bring along:
  • the receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains;
  • the exhumed remains of the deceased;
  • the original “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150]; and
  • the receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains,
  • to the Wo Hop Shek or Cheung Chau Crematorium Office to arrange for cremation of exhumed remains.
• 4 days after cremation, the applicant can bring along the receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains and collect the cremated ashes and the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153]. 

B. Re-burial at Public Cemeteries

• Applications for re-burial at public cemeteries should be made at the Cemeteries and Crematoria (Kowloon) Office of FEHD.
• The applicant should obtain and complete the “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148]. 
• The applicant should obtain and complete the “Application for Urn Grave Burial or Placing Additional Skeletal Remains/Ashes” [FEHB 262]. 
• Upon completion of the procedures and payment of fee, the applicant will be issued with the “Authorisation to Bury Skeletal Remains”. 
• The applicant should engage a registered mason to bury the exhumed remains in an urn grave.
• Applications for a new urn grave is only available for interment of the skeletal remains in any public cemetery for the first time. 
• If the skeletal remains were already buried in an urn grave of a public cemetery, only application for relocation and re-burial at a vacated urn grave will be considered and processed by FEHD.
• In respect of application for burial at the private lots of Wo Hop Shek or Sandy Ridge Urn Cemeteries, submission of documentary proof from the relevant trade association or organisation is required.
• Application for an urn grave in Cheung Chau Cemetery, Tai O Cemetery or Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo of FEHD must be supported by the following documents if the deceased was not originally buried in any of these cemeteries:
  • the original and a copy of the document issued by the relevant rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
  • the original and a copy of a statutory declaration made by the legal personal representative or next of kin of the deceased, or the duly authorized agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.

C. Re-burial at Urn Graves of Private Cemeteries or Deposit in Ossuaries of Private Cemeteries

• In case of application for re-burial at an urn grave of a private cemetery or deposit in an ossuary of a private cemetery, an applicant may apply for an “Authorisation to Remove Skeletal Remains” [FEH(L) 86A] at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon.
• An applicant must:
  • submit a completed “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148]; and
  • produce the approval document for re-burial at an urn grave or deposit in an ossuary issued by the private cemetery concerned.
• Upon completion of the procedures, the applicant can pay the fee at the shroff and obtain the payment receipt. The “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEH(L) 86A] and “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150] can be collected at the collection counter upon payment of the fee.
• Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online. Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
• The applicant may contact the private cemetery direct for deposit of remains in an ossuary or re-burial.

• As cremated ashes are processed at a high temperature, they do not pose any threat to public health. There are different ways to dispose of cremated ashes. The common options are as follows:  

1. scattering in the designated waters;
2. scattering in a Garden of Remembrance managed by the government or a private cemetery;
3. depositing at a columbarium managed by the government;
4. placing additionally in an urn grave of a public cemetery;
5. depositing at a licensed private columbarium;
6. keeping at home (not more than 10 cremated ashes of deceased); and
7. using the temporary storage service for cremains of the FEHD.

A Green Burial

This includes Scattering Cremated Ashes at Sea and Scattering Cremated Ashes at Other Gardens of Remembrance.

▶️ Green Burial (Chinese Version Only)

• Scattering of cremated ashes at sea has gained popularity in recent years. Relatives can arrange their own vessels or use the free ferry service provided by FEHD for scattering the ashes in designated areas.
• Cremated ashes of the deceased for which permission for scattering is obtained and a small amount of fresh flower petals can be scattered at sea.

Free ferry service provided by FEHD:

• The ferry service is provided several times per month for scattering cremated ashes in designated waters by members of the public. Details of the service are available at FEHD webpage: https://www.greenburial.gov.hk/en/scattering-cremains-sea/intro.html
• A funeral director is on board to assist the public in holding simple memorial rites.
• Scattering of cremated ashes at sea can take place in the following 3 designated areas in Hong Kong waters:
  • East of Tap Mun;
  • East of Tung Lung Chau; or
  • South of West Lamma Channel.

Application procedures: 

• Applicants for scattering cremated ashes at sea using either self-arranged vessels or the free ferry service provided by FEHD must be holders of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] or his/her authorized person.
• Applicants are required to complete the form “Application for Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in Hong Kong Waters” [FEHB 198]. 
• At least 10 days before the intended date of ashes scattering, the applicant or the person authorised in writing is to submit:
  • A completed “Application for Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in Hong Kong Waters” [FEHB 198]; 
  • the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] and
  • A copy of the deceased’s identity card,in person to Cemeteries and Crematoria Office.
• The completed application form may also be sent to any one of the above Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices by fax or by post or to fill in the e-form and submit the application online. Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153].
• FEHD will normally grant approval for scattering cremated ashes at sea within 5 working days after receiving the application.

• Scattering cremated ashes at gardens of remembrance is another way of disposal of cremated ashes with growing popularity. 
• FEHD runs 13 gardens of remembrance for the public to scatter cremated ashes of the deceased.
• Memorial rituals may be performed at the gardens of remembrance. The ashes may be scattered by the applicants themselves or by the staff of FEHD.
• An administration fee is payable for mounting a commemorative plaque after ashes scattering.
• Masons registered with FEHD are allowed to provide services to supply and mount commemorative plaques in the gardens of remembrance. The list of contractors is available at FEHD webpage: https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lrm.pdf. Please contact the masons direct for the required charges.

▶️ Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance (Chinese Version Only)

Application procedures

• Applicants (i.e. the holder of Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes [FEHB 153] or his/her authorized person) are to complete the “Application for Scattering Cremated Ashes/Mounting Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” [FEHB 219].
• At least 14 days before the intended date of ashes scattering, the applicant or the person authorised in writing are to submit:
  • a completed “Application for Scattering Cremated Ashes/Mounting Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” [FEHB 219];
  • the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] issued by FEHD at the time of collection of the cremated ashes; and
  • a copy of the deceased’s identity card,

in person to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon.

• The “Application for Scattering Cremated Ashes/Mounting Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” [FEHB 219] may also be sent to one of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices by fax or by post or to fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
• Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance of FEHD is free of charge.
• Applicants for scattering cremated ashes in gardens of remembrance in the Islands District are to submit also:
  • the original and a copy of the documents issued by the relevant rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
  • the original and a copy of the statutory declaration by the legal personal representative or next of kin of the deceased, or the duly authorised agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
• FEHD will normally grant approval for scattering cremated ashes in gardens of remembrance within 10 working days after receiving the application.

For details of Gardens of Remembrance at FEHD, please refer to Saying Goodbye –Funeral and Burial Arrangement under Community Resources

Scattering Cremated Ashes at Other Gardens of Remembrance

Gardens of remembrance for scattering cremated ashes are also available in the following private cemeteries. Interested parties may contact the cemeteries direct for information. 

For details of Gardens of Remembrance in private cemeteries, please refer to Saying Goodbye –Funeral and Burial Arrangement under Community Resources

• If the deceased meet one of the following criteria, the cremated ashes can be deposited at a columbarium managed by FEHD:
  • Being a Hong Kong resident at the time of death and whose remains were cremated in a government crematorium within 3 months after death; or
  • Being a Hong Kong resident for at least 10 years in the last 20 years before death and whose remains were cremated outside Hong Kong; or
  • Remains were lawfully exhumed and cremated at a government crematorium.

Application for Allocation of Extendable Niches in Allocation Exercises

• All public niches allocated are extendable niches since 26.4.2019.
• All niches under application will be allocated to applicants by drawing of lots and computer balloting. Each successful applicant will be allotted a designated niche and not self-chosen.
• Applicants must submit their applications in accordance with the announced arrangements.

Ashes interment period and extension of interment period

• After allocation of a niche, the initial interment period is 20 years and can be extended at 10-year intervals thereafter upon payment of the prevailing prescribed fee.
• On expiry of the 20-year/10-year interment period, if the related person(s) confirm(s) extension of the interment period and pay(s) the prevailing prescribed fee and complete(s) the procedural formalities, the use of the allocated niche can be continued.
• If a new set of ashes is added during the interment period, the related person(s) can opt for a fresh interment period of 20 years counting from the payment date for the co-location fee or opt to maintain the original interment period under the status quo. If the former option is chosen, the new interment schedule will replace the original one.
• The extendable niche arrangement is not applicable to niche that was allocated before 26.4.2019.

Application for Placing Additional Cremated Ashes of Deceased in Allocated Niches

• Applications for placing additional cremated ashes of deceased in allocated niches can be made at any time. 
• Applicants only need to complete the “Application for Placing Additional Cremated Ashes of the Deceased” [FEHB 136A].
• Two types of niches are available at the public columbaria i.e.:
  • Standard niche (can hold the ashes of more than two deceased persons); and
  • Large niche (can hold the ashes of more than four deceased persons).
• Subject to application and approval obtained, the cremated ashes of the deceased person can be placed in a public niche if the subsequent deceased was in close relationship with or a close relative of the first deceased.
• If the niche to be applied are extendable niche, arrangement of its ashes interment period, extension of interment period and deposit of additional sets of ashes for these niches will be the same as the ones of new niches.
• The related person(s) can opt for a fresh interment period of 20 years counting from the payment date for the co-location fee or opt to maintain the original interment period under the status quo. If the former option is chosen, the new interment schedule will replace the original one.

 Application procedures

• To apply for new niches in allocation exercises or placing additional cinerary urns in allocated niches, applicants are to complete the respective application forms mentioned above and bring along the following documents to a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD for processing:
  • the original and a copy of the applicant’s identity card;
  • the original and a copy of the deceased’s identity card or other documentary proof of Hong Kong resident’s status of the deceased;
  • the original and a copy of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153]; 
  • “Certificate of Cremation” or cremation documents issued by an overseas legal crematorium; and
  • for application to deposit the cremated ashes of more than one deceased in the same niche, the documentary proof of the relationship of the first deceased and the other deceased (if valid proof is not available, the applicant shall take an oath at a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD).
  • For application for depositing the ashes in a columbarium niche in the Islands District, the applicant should also produce the following:
    • The original and copies of the documents issued by the relevant rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
    • personal representative or next of kin of the deceased or the duly authorised agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
• Applicants may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online. Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
• Fees are payable for using a niche or placing additional urns in an allocated niche. Separately, an administration fee is payable for mounting a commemorative plaque. Masons registered with FEHD are allowed to provide services to supply and mount commemorative plaques in the columbaria. The list of registered contractors is available at FEHD webpage: http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lrm.pdf. Please contact the masons direct for the charges required.

• Additional skeletal remains / ashes can be placed in urn graves at public cemeteries.
• Apart from the remains of the first deceased, an urn grave can accommodate up to two additional urns or cinerary urns. The deceased whose cremated ashes will be added must be in close relationship with or a close relative of the first deceased.
• Applicants are to complete the “Application for Urn Grave Burial or Placing Additional Skeletal Remains/Ashes” [FEHB 262] and bring along the following documents to the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD for processing:
  • the original and a copy of the applicant’s identity card;
  • the original and a copy of the deceased’s identity card or other documentary proof of Hong Kong resident’s status of the deceased;
  • the original and a copy of “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153]; 
  • “Certificate of Cremation” or cremation documents issued by an overseas legal crematorium; and
  • the documentary proof of the relationship of the first buried deceased and the other deceased (if valid proof is not available, the applicant shall take an oath at a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD).
  • In respect of application for burial at the private lots of Wo Hop Shek or Sandy Ridge Urn Cemeteries, submission of documentary proof from the relevant trade association or organisation is required.
• After completing the application procedures and paying the fee required, the applicant shall engage a mason registered with FEHD to place the additional cinerary urn in the urn grave. Please contact the masons direct for the charges required.

Relatives can also deposit the ashes in licensed private columbarium. For details, please refer to Regulation of Private Columbaria.

▶️ Tips for purchasing private niches

• Temporary Storage Service for Cremains in government facilities is a transitional arrangement. The cremains of any person meeting concerned criteria are eligible to apply for being kept in the temporary storage facility for cremains of the FEHD. 
  • Who was a resident of Hong Kong at the time of his/her death and whose remains were cremated within three months after his/her death in a Government crematorium; or
  • Whose remains were cremated in a private crematorium specified in Part 6 of the Schedule 5 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132; or
  • Who was a resident of Hong Kong for a period of at least ten years during the period of twenty years immediately preceding his/her death and whose remains were certified to be cremated in a lawful crematorium outside Hong Kong; or
  • Whose remains are lawfully exhumed and cremated at a Government crematorium; or
  • Whose cremains were interred in a private columbarium in Hong Kong prior to the submission of the application.
• The temporary storage facility for cremains in Kwai Chung Crematorium is limited to storage of cremains bags only (cinerary urns are not accepted).
• The temporary storage facility in Wo Hop Shek Crematorium is limited to storage of cinerary urns only (cremains bags are not accepted).
• The storage period for application of temporary storage service for cremains, which is extendable, is either 3, 6 or 12 months. The monthly charge is $80.
• For applying the temporary storage service for cremains, the applicant has to fill in the Application for Temporary Storage Service for Cremains [FEHB 251] and submit in person together with the following required documents:
  • the original and a copy of the applicant’s identity card;
  • the original and a copy of the deceased’s identity card or other documentary proof of Hong Kong resident’s status of the deceased; and
  • the original and a copy of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] or “Certificate of Cremation” of the deceased [not applicable to applicants who have already applied for cremains transfer service.],
• to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices or Cremation Booking Office of FEHD: 
  • 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
  • Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
  • 1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
• For submission by post / fax (Fax No.: 2765 6402) / email (cc@fehd.gov.hk), only copies of the required documents are required. The Department will verify the concerned documents when interviewing the applicant.

• The public may create a memorial webpage at the Internet Memorial Service website (http://www.memorial.gov.hk), and upload texts, photos and videos to preserve fond memories of their lost loved ones.
• An applicant who applies for allocation of a new niche for the deceased, he/she only needs to fill in his/her email address on the application form. FEHD will then create a dedicated memorial webpage displaying the name and date of death of the deceased. The memorial webpage of the deceased will display the expiry date of the interment period and the related message will pop-up before expiry of the interment period to remind the related persons of the expiry date of the current interment period. In addition, the related persons can use a dedicated link on the webpage to update the contact list or their contact information.
• Family members and friends may create a memorial webpage for a deceased, who met any one of the following conditions: 
  • cremated at a public crematorium;
  • cremains scattered in a Garden of Remembrance of FEHD or designated Hong Kong waters;
  • cremains kept in a public columbarium;
  • buried at a public cemetery;
  • a Hong Kong resident and whose body or cremated ashes was / were interred or kept in a Hong Kong private cemetery or private columbarium;
  • buried at the Gallant Garden/Tribute Garden; or
  • cremated ashes temporarily kept in temporary storage facilities of FEHD; or
  • keeping of abortuses in the facility for keeping of abortuses of FEHD.
• Upon input of basic information (including the applicant’s email address and particulars of the deceased) at the Internet Memorial Service website, a memorial webpage for the deceased will be created. Relatives and friends of the deceased can choose the layout design, write the deceased’s life story, upload photos and videos, and set up various features for the memorial webpage. The webpage can be set as either ‘public’ or ‘private’.

▶️ Internet memorial services (Chines version only)

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: A guide to after-death arrangements