A Guide to

After-Death Arrangements
••••••••••••••••
Foreword
There is an appointed time for everything , including birth and death.
When a family member or friend passes away, however much agony and grief
we may have, we need to make the necessary after-death arrangements after all.
This booklet provides concise information on matters such as death registration,
disposal of bodies and ashes, and the holding of funerals. We hope the bereaved
and relevant service agencies will find it useful in handling funeral matters.
At present over 90 percent of the bodies of the deceased are cremated
each year. To optimise the use of resources, the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department has relaxed the arrangement for interring additional
cremated ashes in a public niche. If a deceased is a close relative or has a close
relationship with a person with ashes already interred, his or her ashes can be
interred together in the same niche of the first deceased. The relaxation enables
our loved ones to stay together after death and makes paying respect to them
more convenient.
In recent years more and more people have chosen to scatter the cremated ashes
of their loved ones in the peaceful and tranquil Gardens of Remembrance or at
the boundless sea, enabling them to return to nature. Of all the death cases each
year, over 10 percent follows the green burial path, and the trend is on the rise.
I hope green burial will become the mainstream arrangement for handling
cremated ashes. I also encourage you to express early your wishes for the
after-death arrangements to your loved ones for your own peace of mind and
to make life easier for them. By making use of the Internet Memorial Service
([Link]), we can pay homage to our lost loved ones anytime and
anywhere and keep alive our thoughts and memories forever.

Professor Sophia Siu Chee Chan, JP

Secretary for Food and Health
Contents 2. Arrangements for a Funeral 11
A. Licensed Undertakers (“Coffin Shops”) 11
Foreword B. Holding the Funeral in Funeral Parlours 11
Contents C. Holding the Funeral in Religious Venues 12
1. Registration of a Death, Application and 1 D. “Farewell Services” in Hospitals 12
Arrangements for Cremation/Burial E. Contact Details of Organisations providing 13
A. The Joint Office 1 Funeral Services, Support on Funeral Matters and
B. Registration of a Death 2 Counselling Services, etc.
(i) A death from natural cause (handled under normal procedures) 2 F. Coffins 13

(ii) A death from nature cause requiring urgent burial 3 3. Disposal of Cremated Ashes 14
(iii)A death from unnatural cause 3 A. Ways to Dispose of Cremated Ashes 14
C. Application for Cremation 4 B. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Sea 14
(i) Application for “Cremation Permit” 4 C. Scattering Cremated Ashes at 17
(ii) Booking of Cremation Session 4 Gardens of Remembrance of Food and
(iii) Particulars of the 6 Crematoria under Food and Environmental 6 Environmental Hygiene Department
Hygiene Department D. Scattering Cremated Ashes at 20
(iv) Change of Place, Date or Time of Cremation 7 Other Gardens of Remembrance
(v) Specifications of Coffins for Cremation 7 E. Niches in Government Columbaria 20
(vi) Application for Viewing the Putting of the Coffin 7 (i) Application for New Niches in Allocation Exercises 21
into the Cremator
(ii) Application for Re-allocation of Reused Niches 21
(vii) Collection of Cremated Ashes 8
(iii) Application for Placing Additional Cinerary Urns in 21
D. Application for Burial 8 Allocated Niches
(i) Public Cemeteries 8 F. Placing Additional Cinerary Urns in 23
(ii) Private Cemeteries 9 Urn Graves of Government Cemeteries
4. Exhumation of Remains 24 Appendix
A. Application Procedures for Exhumation of Remains 24 Appendix I : Contact Information of 41
Relevant Government Departments
(i) If Buried at Public Cemeteries 24
Appendix II : Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 44
(ii) If Buried at Private Cemeteries 25 List of Charges for Cemeteries and
(iii) If Buried at Places other than Cemeteries 25 Crematoria Services
B. Ways to Dispose of Exhumed Remains 26 Appendix III : Office Hours of “Farewell Services” of Hospitals 46
(i) Cremation 26 Appendix IV : Websites and Contact Numbers of Organisations 48
providing Funeral Services, Support on
(ii) Re-burial at Public Cemeteries 27 Funeral Matters and Counselling Services, etc.
(iii) Re-burial at Urn Graves of Private Cemeteries or 28 Appendix V : An Overview of Coffins 50
Deposit in Ossuaries of Private Cemeteries
Appendix VI : Required Certificates/Permits/ 53
5. Import and Export of Dead Bodies/ 29 Application Forms for After-Death Arrangements
Exhumed Remains/Cremated Ashes
A. Import and Export of Dead Bodies 29
(i) Export of Dead Bodies (out of Hong Kong) 29 Applicants should not offer any advantage to the staff of Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department when handling any affairs or business
(ii) Import of Dead Bodies (into Hong Kong) 30
with Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
B. Import and Export of Exhumed Remains 30
(i) Export of Exhumed Remains (out of Hong Kong) 30
(ii) Import of Exhumed Remains (into Hong Kong) 31
C. Import and Export of Cremated Ashes 32

6. Internet Memorial Service 33

7. Organ Donation 35

8. Body Donation 37

9. Ashes Scattering Plan for Body Donors 38

Endless Love - Healing Act

10. 39
Ashes scattering and memorial plaque
for cadaveric organ donor
 Registration of a Death, Application and # For registration of deaths referred by the Coroner, or registration of deaths

1
from natural causes on Sundays and public holidays, please visit the Births
Arrangements for Cremation/Burial and Deaths General Register Office of Immigration Department. Details
are as follows:
A. The Joint Office
Births and Deaths General Register Office of Immigration Department
For public convenience, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department,
Immigration Department and Department of Health have set up the Joint 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong
Office to handle cases of death from natural causes. Members of the public can Tel: 2867 2784
register a death, apply and arrange for cremation or obtain the certificate for
burial application at the same place. Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Hong Kong Island Office Kowloon Office
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
18/F, Wu Chung House, 1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government
213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, * For registration of deaths referred by the Coroner only
Kong Sham Shui Po, Kowloon Sunday and public holiday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Formed by: Formed by: * For registration of deaths from natural causes only
Deaths Registry of Immigration Deaths Registry of Immigration
Department # Department #
Tel: 2961 8841 Tel: 2368 4706 ■ Please refer to Appendix I for contact information of relevant government
Port Health Office of Department of Port Health Office of Department of departments and the services provided by them.
Health Health
Tel: 2961 8843 Tel: 2150 7232 B. Registration of a Death
Cremation Booking Office of Food and Cremation Booking Office of Food and Death registration procedures vary according to the nature of death:
Environmental Hygiene Department Environmental Hygiene Department
Tel: 2961 8842 Tel: 2150 7502 (i) a death from natural cause (handled under normal procedures);
(ii) a death from natural cause requiring urgent burial; or
(iii) a death from unnatural cause.
Details of the registration procedures are as follows:
(i) A death from natural cause (handled under normal procedures)
■ For a death from natural cause where a registered medical practitioner had
made the final diagnosis and determined the cause of death, the medical
Office Hours practitioner will issue the following documents for the deceased:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and – “Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death” [Form 18]; and
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
– “Medical Certificate (Cremation)” [Form 2] (applicable to cremation
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
only).
(closed on Sunday and public holiday)

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■ Relatives of the deceased are required to bring along the originals of the ■ Depending on circumstances, the Coroner may (before the cause of death is
following documents and register the death within 24 hours at the Joint determined) order the body be buried or cremated and issue the following
Office: document:
– identity card of the applicant; – “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial/Cremation of Body”
[Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order” or “cremation order”).
– identity card of the deceased;
– “Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death” [Form 18]; and ■ Then the relatives can apply for cremation at the Joint Office or apply for
burial at the respective cemetery office (see Item 1C/1D).
– “Medical Certificate (Cremation)” [Form 2] (applicable to cremation
only). ■ When the Coroner has determined the cause of death (which usually
takes 1 to 6 months), the Registrar of Deaths will register the death
■ Upon completion of the above death registration procedure, which normally and notify the relatives in writing. Then the relatives should collect the
takes 30 minutes, the applicant will be issued with: following document at the Births and Deaths General Register Office of
– “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12] (commonly known as Immigration Department:
“going-out pass”); and – “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12].
– “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] (commonly known as C. Application for Cremation
“burial permit”) (applicable to burial only).
(i) Application for “Cremation Permit”
■ With the above documents in hand, relatives can apply for cremation at the
Joint Office or apply for burial at the respective cemetery office (see Item ■ Upon issue of the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12]
1C/1D). (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.
(ii) A death from natural cause requiring urgent burial
■ Cremation can be arranged without the “Cremation Permit” [Form 3] if
■ If urgent removal or burial of the dead body is necessary for religious or the “Certificate of Order Authorizing Cremation of Body” [Form 11]
other reasons outside the opening hours of the Joint Office or the Births and (commonly known as “cremation order”) has been issued by the Coroner.
Deaths General Register Office, the applicant can apply for the following
document from the nearest police station to facilitate the urgent burial: (ii) Booking of Cremation Session
– “Permit for Removal and Burial of Dead Body” [Form 8]. ■ In accordance with the performance pledge, Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department will provide an unallocated cremation session within
■ In such case, the applicant is still required to register the death at the Deaths the next 15 days from the day of application. When fixing the date of
Registry of Immigration Department in the Joint Office after the burial. cremation, the applicant must ensure that the time for funeral procession
The applicant will be issued with a “Certificate of Registration of Death” ties in with the booked cremation session. The Food and Environmental
[Form 12] after registration. Hygiene Department operates a chit system to facilitate the booking of
(iii) A death from unnatural cause (circumstances such as the deceased cremation sessions at the counter.
was not attended by a registered medical practitioner before death or ■ A member of the public may choose to:
death resulted from accident, poison or violence, etc.)
(a) self-book the cremation session; or
■ Such a case should be reported immediately to the Police, who will in turn
report it to the Coroner and conduct an investigation. (b) authorise a licensed undertaker or another person to book the cremation
session on his/her behalf.
■ The Police will submit a report to the Coroner, who will decide if an autopsy,
investigation or inquest is necessary to determine the cause of death.

3 4
Details are as follows: be provided in the application form, which must also be stamped with
the undertaker’s chop recognised by Food and Environmental Hygiene
(a) Self-booking of cremation session
Department.
■ The form “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135] should
be completed. The particulars of the hired licensed undertaker must ■ The applicant should go to the Cremation Booking Office of Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department in the Joint Office and sign the
be provided in the application form, which must also be stamped with
authorisation part (Section F of the application form) in front of the counter
the undertaker’s chop recognised by Food and Environmental Hygiene
staff.
Department.
■ If the relative does not wish to go to the Joint Office in person for the
All forms of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are uploaded authorisation procedure, he/she may appoint another person to wholly
at: [Link] for handle the application for cremation on his/her behalf by completing
public download. the “Declaration of Relationship with the Deceased” [FEHB 135A].
The appointed applicant may then submit the duly completed “Application
■ The applicant must bring along the following documents to the Joint Office: for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135] together with the “Declaration of
Relationship with the Deceased” [FEHB 135A] to the Cremation Booking
– the duly completed “Application for Private Cremation” [FEHB 135]; and Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in the Joint
– the original “Cremation Permit” [Form 3]; or Office.
– the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Cremation of Body” (iii) Particulars of the 6 Crematoria under Food and Environmental
[Form 11]. Hygiene Department
■ The applicant may choose to book the cremation session over the counter
of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the Joint Office or
through online booking and pay the required fee (see Appendix II).
■ For booking of cremation session at the counter, payment of the required fee
can be made by cash, cheque or Electronic Payment Service (EPS).
■ For booking of cremation session online, the applicant will be given a token
which will be used to book online through the Food and Environmental Cape Collinson Crematorium Diamond Hill Crematorium
Hygiene Department website ([Link] 9 Cape Collinson Road, 199 Po Kong Village Road,
booking_online.html). Immediately after a cremation session is secured, Chai Wan, Hong Kong Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Tel: 2556 1377 Tel: 2325 9996
payment of the required fee by credit card or by Payment by Phone
Service (PPS) will have to be made online. The applicant may also opt for
prepayment of cremation fee at time of issue of token.
(b) Booking of cremation session by 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
his/her behalf.
Fu Shan Crematorium Kwai Chung Crematorium
■ If a licensed undertaker is authorised to book a cremation session, the Lower Shing Mun Road, 13 Wing Hau Street,
Tai Wai, Sha Tin, N.T. Kwai Chung, N.T.
applicant still has to complete the “Application for Private Cremation” Tel: 2699 5090 Tel: 2614 4390
[FEHB 135]. The particulars of the hired licensed undertaker must
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 (vii) Collection of Cremated Ashes
■ The applicant or the authorised licensed undertaker or other authorized
person can go to the venue selected in the application form for collection
of cremated ashes (see Appendix I(c)) for details of the crematoria or
Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon)
4 days after cremation. Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will
also issue the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] to the
Wo Hop Shek Crematorium Cheung Chau Crematorium person collecting the ashes at the time of collection.
Kiu Tau Road, Wo Hop Shek, Cheung Chau Peak Road West,
Fanling, N.T. Sai Wan, Cheung Chau
Tel: 2675 5200 Tel: 2981 5177 D Application for Burial
(i) Public Cemeteries
■ The opening hours of the crematoria are from 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. or 6:00 p.m. For service charges, please see Appendix II. ■ According to the prevailing requirements, the remains must be exhumed six
years after burial in a public cemetery.
(iv) Change of Place, Date or Time of Cremation
■ Coffin burial spaces are available for application at the following public
■ The applicant is required to fill out the “Application for Cancellation of cemeteries managed by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department:
Cremation Booking” [FEHB 264]. Fees paid will not be refunded.
– Wo Hop Shek Cemetery
■ A new application for booking a cremation session has to be made and
the chargeable fee has to be paid again. – Cheung Chau Cemetery*

(v) Specifications of Coffins for Cremation – Tai O Cemetery*

– Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo*
■ Cremation may be executed only when the selected coffin is in compliance
with the specifications. (* 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 specifications on the size and weight of coffins may vary for cremators
at different crematoria. For details, please contact the Joint Office or the relevant rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous
browse the following webpage for “Points to Note” in respect of individual villager of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor
crematoria: [Link] children.)
do?lang=en_US. ■ The applicant or the hired licensed undertaker may contact the office of
the cemetery where the deceased is to be buried to book the date of burial.
■ No metal or plastic attachments (such as handles) should be fitted onto
the external surface of the coffin. Funeral objects should not be put into On the day of burial, the applicant must bring along the following
the coffin in large quantities and objects with metal or plastic content are documents to the cemetery office concerned for processing:
not allowed at all. – a completed “Application for Burial at Public Cemetery” [FEHB 144]
(the particulars of the hired licensed undertaker must be provided in the
■ The name of the deceased should be written on the coffin.
form, which must also be stamped with the undertaker’s chop recognised
(vi) Application for Viewing the Putting of the Coffin into the Cremator by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department);
■ Should the relatives of the deceased wish to view the putting of the coffin – the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12]; and
into the cremator via the closed-circuit television, they must inform
the crematorium staff for arrangement upon arrival. – the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10]; or
– the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body”
[Form 11].
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■ After checking the documents, Food and Environmental Hygiene Operated by the Board of Management of
Department will allocate a coffin grave space to the eligible applicant on the the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries
date of application.
Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery* Tsuen Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery*
■ After the burial, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will collect
the fee required (see Appendix II) from the licensed undertaker hired by the Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent
Cemetery* Cemetery *
applicant.
■ Relatives of the deceased or the authorized undertaker may make
arrangements for erection of a tombstone in a public cemetery by a mason
Operated by religious or other organisations
registered with Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (the list of
registered masons is available at the department webpage: [Link] Hong Kong Island Kowloon
[Link]/english/cc/[Link]). Charges usually vary according to the
quality of the stone and the inscription required. The relatives may make the Cape Collinson Roman Catholic Cheung Sha Wan Roman Catholic
Cemetery * Cemetery *
arrangements with the mason direct.
Cape Collinson Muslim Cemetery Grampian Road Christian Chinese
■ The applicant should submit an application to the cemetery office concerned Cemetery *
in advance if the deceased's name inscribed on the tombstone is different Cape Collinson Buddhist Cemetery *
Sung Him Tong Sung Chan Wui Kei Tuk
from the one registered with Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Happy Valley Roman Catholic Kau Fan Cheung *
Besides, the applicant should be present on the day the tombstone is erected Cemetery *
to ensure that the tombstone is placed at the grave where the coffin is Tao Fong Shan Christian Cemetery *
Happy Valley Zoroastrian Cemetery
interred. Happy Valley Hindu Cemetery
New Territories
Tsuen Wan Chuen Yuen Church
Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery Cemetery *
Happy Valley Jewish Cemetery Sai Kung Catholic Cemetery *
Chiu Yuen Cemetery at Mount Davis* Castle Peak Christian Cemetery
Pok Fu Lam Road Christian Chinese Islands
Cemetery *
Cheung Chau Catholic Cemetery*
Cheung Chau Christian Cemetery*
Wo Hop Shek Cemetery Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo
Ming Yin Road, Fanling, N.T. Lantau Island, N.T. * Also with columbarium
Tel: 2675 5296 Tel: 2981 5177

(ii) 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 grave space in a private cemetery and details of charges
should be made direct to the management of the cemetery concerned.
Private cemeteries include the following:

9 10
2 Arrangements for a Funeral
The relatives may refer to the following information when arranging a funeral:
■ For renting of service hall and mortuary facilities in a funeral parlour, the
relatives may engage a licensed undertaker for the arrangements or make
enquiries direct to the funeral parlours.
C. Holding the Funeral in Religious Venues
A. Licensed Undertakers (“Coffin Shops”)
■ Should the funerals of religious believers are to be held in religious venues,
■ The legislation provides that a valid Undertaker’s Licence must be obtained please contact the religious group concerned directly for details, or engage a
from Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for the trade or licensed undertaker to make the arrangements.
business operated by a person who undertakes all or any duties connected
with the cremation or burial of human cadavers. D. “Farewell Services” in Hospitals
■ Currently there are more than 120 licensed undertakers in Hong Kong. The ■ If the deceased passed away in a hospital, the relatives may consider to
list of the undertakers is available at the webpage of Food and Environmental engage a licensed undertaker to arrange farewell service in the hospital. In
Hygiene Department : [Link] general, farewell services in the hospital are available only to patients who
passed away in that hospital.
■ Currently there are 7 licensed funeral parlours in Hong Kong which are also
holding the licence for undertaker. ■ Most hospitals have farewell rooms (or similar rooms) for the relatives
to hold simple memorial rites. Afterwards, the body will be transported
■ Apart from the 7 undertakers which are also holding the licence for
funeral parlour, the other licensed undertakers do not have such facilities directly to a crematorium or cemetery for cremation or burial.
as mortuaries and service halls. Their services mainly include the ■ Hospitals which provide farewell room (and their telephone numbers for
transportation of bodies, arrangement of funerals and booking of funeral enquiries) are listed below:
parlours.
– Hong Kong Island East:
■ In general, staff of licensed undertakers may assist in handling cremation or Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (2595 6224)
burial matters, such as: Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals (2291 1030)
– application for the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 12] – Hong Kong Island West:
(commonly known as “going-out pass”); Grantham Hospital (2518 2201)
Queen Mary Hospital (2255 3678)
– application for the “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Fung Yiu King Hospital (2855 6111)
(commonly known as “burial permit”);
– Kowloon Central:
– application for the “Cremation Permit” [Form 3]; Buddhist Hospital (2339 6127)
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (3506 8434)
– booking of cremation session or burial location; and
– Kowloon East:
– renting of service hall and mortuary facilities. Tseung Kwan O Hospital (2208 0906)
B. Holding the Funeral in Funeral Parlours United Christian Hospital (3513 3572)
– Kowloon West:
■ The present 7 licensed funeral parlours in Hong Kong have service halls and
Caritas Medical Centre (3408 6345)
mortuary facilities for storage and handling human remains. Two of them
Kwong Wah Hospital (3517 6194)
are operated by non-profit-making organisations.
Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital (2354 2209)
■ The list of licensed funeral parlours is available at the webpage of Food and Yan Chai Hospital (2417 8146)
Environmental Hygiene Department : [Link] – N.T. East:
cc/[Link]. Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (2689 3426)

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 North District Hospital (2683 7112)
Prince of Wales Hospital (3505 2252)
Shatin Hospital (2636 7509)
3 Disposal of Cremated Ashes
A. Ways to Dispose of Cremated Ashes
– N.T. West:
Pok Oi Hospital (2486 8846) ■ As cremated ashes are processed at a high temperature, they will not pose
Tuen Mun Hospital (2468 5148) any threat to public health. There are different ways to dispose of cremated
■ The office hours for the farewell services in the hospitals are generally from ashes. The common options are as follows:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telephone enquiries (i) scattering in the designated waters, please refer to Page 14 for details;
on the arrangements can be made to the respective hospitals (exact office
hours of farewell services of each hospital could be referred to Appendix III). (ii) scattering in a garden of remembrance managed by the government or a
private cemetery, please refer to Page 17 for details;
(iii) depositing at a columbarium managed by the government, please refer to
Page 20 for details;
(iv) placing additionally in an urn grave of a public cemetery, please refer to
Page 23 for details;
(v) depositing at a private columbarium;
The farewell room at The farewell room at (vi) keeping the ashes at home (not more than 10 ashes); and
Queen Mary Hospital Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
(vii) using the temporary storage service for cremains of the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department.

Scattering cremated ashes in the designated waters or gardens of remembrance

is an environmentally friendly and meaningful practice which is consistent
with the concepts of “life regeneration” and “returning to nature”.

The farewell room at The farewell room at

B. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Sea
Pok Oi Hospital Prince of Wales Hospital
■ 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 Food and
E. Contact Details of Organisations providing Funeral Services,
Environmental Hygiene Department for scattering the ashes in designated areas.
Support on Funeral Matters and Counselling Services, etc.
■ The contact details of licensed undertakers, licensed funeral parlours and ■ Scattering of cremated ashes at sea can take
organisations providing support on funeral matters and counselling services, place in the following 3 designated areas in
East of
etc. are listed in Appendix IV. Hong Kong waters: Tap Mun

– East of Tap Mun;

F. Coffins
– East of Tung Lung Chau; or
■ Suitable coffins can be selected for different funeral ceremonies (e.g. Chinese – South of West Lamma Channel.
or Western) and different methods of handling the bodies (e.g. there are East of Tung Lung Chau
specific restrictions on coffins for cremation). Please refer to Appendix V for ■ Cremated ashes of the deceased for which
South of West Lamma Channel
information on different styles of coffins. permission for scattering is obtained and a
small amount of fresh flower petals can be scattered at sea.
13 14
(i) Free ferr y ser vice provided by Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department:
■ The ferry service is provided several times per month for scattering cremated
ashes in designated waters by members of the public. The sails are scheduled
for once every Saturday morning (except public holiday). Details of the
service are available at the webpage of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department:
[Link]
Funeral director
■ A funeral director is on board to assist the public in holding simple
memorial rites.
(ii) Application procedures:
■ Applicants for scattering cremated ashes at sea using either self-arranged
vessels or the free ferry service provided by Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department must be holders of the “Permit to Take Away
Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153].
■ For arranging own vessel trip, please complete the form:
The ferry Scattering of cremated ashes
– “Application for Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in Hong Kong
Waters” [FEHB 198].
■ For using the free ferry service provided by Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department, please complete the form:
– “Application for Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in Hong Kong
Waters and Free Ferry Service to Designated Area” [FEHB 198A].
■ 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]; or
a completed “Application for Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in
Hong Kong Waters and Free Ferry Service to Designated Area” [FEHB
198A]; and
– the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153],
in person to either of the following Cemeteries and Crematoria Office:
1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel No.: 2570 4318 Fax No.: 2591 1879
Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon Scattering of fresh flower petals
Tel No.: 2365 5321 Fax No.: 2176 4963

15 16
■ 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, Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department will contact the applicant to arrange
for submission of the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”
[FEHB 153].
■ Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will normally grant approval
for scattering cremated ashes at sea within 5 working days after receiving the The new Wo Hop Shek Garden Cheung Chau Garden of Remembrance
of Remembrance Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Cheung Chau Peak Road West,
application. Columbarium, Phase V, Fanling, N. T. Sai Wan, Cheung Chau
Tel: 2696 4031 Tel: 2981 5177
C. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance
of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
■ Scattering cremated ashes at gardens of remembrance is another
environmentally friendly way to dispose of cremated ashes with growing
popularity. Food and Environmental Hygiene Department runs 12 gardens
of remembrance in 8 columbaria for the public to scatter cremated ashes of
the deceased:
Peng Chau Garden of Remembrance Lamma Garden of Remembrance
Peng Chau Columbarium Lamma Island Columbarium
Tel: 2981 5177 Tel: 2981 5177

■ Memorial rituals may be performed at the gardens of remembrance.

The ashes may be scattered by the applicants themselves or by the staff of
Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department.
The new Cape Collinson The new Diamond Hill Garden of Remembrance ■ An administration fee is payable for
Garden of Remembrance 199 Po Kong Village Road, Wong Tai Sin,
9 Cape Collinson Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong Kowloon mounting a commemorative plaque
Tel: 2556 1377 Tel: 2325 9996 (see Appendix II) after ashes scattering.
■ Masons registered with Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department
are allowed to provide services to
supply and mount commemorative
plaques in the gardens of
remembrance. The list of contractors
is available at the webpage of Food and
Fu Shan Garden of Remembrance Kwai Chung Garden of Remembrance
Environmental Hygiene Department:
Lower Shing Mun Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, N. T. 13 Wing Hau Street, Kwai Chung, N. T. [Link]
Tel: 2699 5090 Tel: 2614 4390 cc/[Link]. Please contact the masons
direct for the required charges.

17 18
Application procedures ■ Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will normally grant approval
for scattering cremated ashes in gardens of remembrance within 5 working
■ Applicants must be holders of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”
days after receiving the application.
[FEHB 153].
■ Applicants are to complete the “Application for Scattering Cremated D. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Other Gardens of
Ashes/Mounting Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” Remembrance
[FEHB 219]. ■ Gardens of remembrance for scattering cremated ashes are also available
■ The applicant or the person authorised in writing are to submit: in the following private cemeteries. Interested parties may contact the
cemeteries direct for information.
– a completed “Application for Scattering Cremated Ashes/Mounting
Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” [FEHB 219]; Managing Organisations and their
and Gardens of Remembrance
Contact Information
– the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153] Garden of Remembrance at Junk Bay The Board of Management of
issued by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the time of Chinese Permanent Cemetery The Chinese Permanent Cemeteries
collection of the cremated ashes, 34/F, Wu Chung House,
213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong
in person to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office on Hong Kong Kong
Island or in Kowloon: Tel No: 2511 1116
Fax No: 2519 0593
1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Website: [Link]
Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
■ The “Appl ication for S cattering Cremated Ashes/Mounting Garden of Remembrance at Chinese Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches
Christian Cemetery at Pok Fu Lam Road Union
Commemorative Plaques at Gardens of Remembrance” [FEHB 219] may 2/F, Hong Kong Chinese Christian
also be sent to one of the above Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices by fax Churches Union Building, 140 Junction
or by post or to fill in the e-form and submit the application online. Upon Road, Kowloon
receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will Tel No: 2337 4171
contact the applicant to arrange for submission of the original “Permit to Fax No: 2338 2314
Website: [Link]
Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153].
■ Applicants for scattering cremated ashes in gardens of remembrance in the
Islands District are to submit also:
E. Niches in Government Columbaria
– the original and a copy of the documents issued by the relevant rural
■ If the deceased met one of the following criteria, the cremated ashes can be
committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the
deposited at a columbarium managed by Food and Environmental Hygiene
Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
Department:
– the original and a copy of the statutory declaration by the legal personal
– a Hong Kong resident at the time of death and whose remains were
representative or next of kin of the deceased, or the duly authorised agent
cremated in a government crematorium within 3 months after death; or
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 – a Hong Kong resident for at least 10 years in the last 20 years before
local resident or their minor children. death and whose remains were cremated outside Hong Kong; or
– a deceased person whose remains were lawfully exhumed and cremated
at a government crematorium.

19 20
(i) Application for New Niches in Allocation Exercises Application procedures
■ Under the current practice, when the construction of a new columbarium is ■ To apply for new niches in allocation exercises, re-allocation of
completed, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will announce reused niches or placing additional cinerary urns in allocated niches,
the arrangements for allocation of niches in newspapers and on its website. applicants are to complete the respective application forms mentioned
The niches are allocated in an open, fair and just manner. Applicants’ above and bring along the following documents to a Cemeteries and
priorities for selecting niches are determined by Food and Environmental Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Hygiene Department according to computer balloting. Applicants are to (see Appendix I(c)) for processing:
complete the relevant application form in accordance with the announced
– the original and a copy of the applicant’s identity card;
arrangements.
– the original and a copy of the deceased’s identity card;
(ii) Application for Re-allocation of Reused Niches
– the original and a copy of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”
■ In addition, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department also offers [FEHB 153]; and
vacated niches at columbaria for re-allocation to members of the public on
the waiting list according to priority. Waiting times depend on the number – for application to deposit the cremated ashes of more than one deceased
of reused niches available. Applicants should make reference to the waiting in the same niche, the documentary proof of the relationship of the
time for reused niches before making applications, which is uploaded on the first deceased and the other deceased (if valid proof is not available, the
webpage: [Link] applicant shall take an oath at a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of
[Link]. Applicants for re-allocation of reused niches are to complete the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department).
“Application for a Niche” [FEHB 136]. – For application for depositing the ashes in a columbarium niche in
(iii) Application for Placing Additional Cinerary Urns in Allocated the Islands District, the applicant should also produce the following:
Niches • the original and a copy of the documents issued by the relevant rural
■ Applications for placing additional cinerary urns in allocated niches can be committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the
made at any time. Applicants only need to complete the “Application for Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
Placing Additional Urn(s)” [FEHB 136A]. For good use of government • the original and a copy of the statutory declaration made by the legal
resources, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department encourages the personal representative or next of kin of the deceased or the duly
public to make optimum use of existing public niches. authorised agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin
■ Two types of niches are available at the public columbaria i.e.: to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands
District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
– Standard niche (can hold the ashes of more than two deceased persons);
■ Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
and
Upon receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
– Large niche (can hold the ashes of more than four deceased persons). will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has since January 2014 ■ A fee is payable for using a niche or placing additional urns in an
removed the cap on the number of sets of cremated ashes that may be allocated niche. Separately, an administration fee is payable for mounting
placed in a public niche. Subject to application and approval obtained, a commemorative plaque (see Appendix II).
the cremated ashes of the deceased person can be placed in a public niche if
■ Masons registered with Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are
the subsequent deceased was in close relationship with or a close relative of
allowed to provide services to supply and mount commemorative plaques in the
the first deceased.
columbaria. The list of registered contractors is available at the webpage of Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department: [Link]
cc/[Link]. Please contact the masons direct for the charges required.

21 22
F. Placing Additional Cinerary Urns in Urn Graves of Government
Cemeteries
■ Additional cinerary urns can be placed in urn graves at public cemeteries.
4 Exhumation of Remains
A. Application Procedures for Exhumation of Remains
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 (i) If Buried at Public Cemeteries
ashes will be added must be in close relationship with or a close relative of ■ According to the existing legislation, human cadavers buried in public
the first deceased. cemeteries for up to six years have to be exhumed from graves.
■ Applicants are to complete the “Application for Urn Grave Burial or ■ After burial for six years, an applicant should complete the “Application for
Placing Additional Skeletal Remains/Ashes” [FEHB 262] and bring along Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148] and bring along the
the following documents to the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria following documentary proof:
Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for processing:
– the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10]
– the original and a copy of the applicant’s identity card; (commonly known as “burial permit”); or
– the original and a copy of the deceased’s identity card; – the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body”
– the original and a copy of “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order”),
[FEHB 153]; and to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental
– the documentary proof of the relationship of the first buried deceased Hygiene Department on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon (see
and the other deceased (if valid proof is not available, the applicant Appendix 1(c)) to apply for the “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains”
shall take an oath at a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and [FEH(L)86A]. The addresses of the offices are as follows:
Environmental Hygiene Department). 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
– In respect of application for burial at the private lots of Wo Hop Shek or Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
Sandy Ridge Urn Cemeteries, submission of documentary proof from
the relevant trade association or organisation is required. ■ Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
Upon receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
– For application for urn burial in public cemeteries on outlying islands, will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
the following documents shall be produced:
■ After completing the procedures, the applicant should engage a registered
i. the original and a copy of the document issued by the relevant rural mason to exhume the remains. The list of registered masons is available
committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager at the webpage of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department:
of the Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor [Link]
children; and
■ After exhumation of the remains, the relevant cemeteries office will issue
ii. the original and a copy of a statutory declaration made by the legal the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150] to the applicant.
personal representative or next of kin of the deceased, or the duly This document is applicable to cremation of exhumed remains, re-burial at
authorized agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin a public cemetery, re-burial at an urn grave of a private cemetery or deposit
to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands in an ossuary of a private cemetery.
District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
■ If the remains are not exhumed upon expiry of the time limit, Food and
■ After completing the application procedures and paying the fee required (see Environmental Hygiene Department will publish a notice concerning the
Appendix II), the applicant shall engage a mason registered with Food and removal of human remains which have been buried in coffin graves for
Environmental Hygiene Department to place the additional cinerary urn in a period of not less than six years in the gazette and newspapers. Letters will
the urn grave. Please contact the masons direct for the charges required. also be sent to the parties concerned who have not exhumed the remains

23 24
 to advise them to carry out the exhumation within the specified period. (if the said document is not available, an application for the deceased’s
Otherwise, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will exhume the death document must be made beforehand at the Deaths Registry of
remains, cremate them, and re-inter the ashes in the communal grave at the Immigration Department);
Sandy Ridge Cemetery.
– documentary proof of his / her relationship with the deceased. If such
(ii) If Buried at Private Cemeteries proof is not available, the applicant is required to take an oath at the
Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene
■ Human remains buried in private cemeteries should be exhumed by the
Department on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon;
specified expiry date as stipulated by respective private cemeteries.
– one recent photo respectively of the distant view and the close view of
■ An applicant should complete the “Application for Permit to Remove/
the hillside grave with all the tombstone inscription clearly shown; and
Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148] and bring along the following documentary
proof: – 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
– the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10]
exhumed remains re-buried in a private cemetery),
(commonly known as “burial permit”); or
to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental
– the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body” [Form
Hygiene Department on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon for processing.
11] (commonly known as “burial order”); and
– the approval document for exhumation of remains issued by the ■ Make a site visit to the grave with staff of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department upon notification by post or by phone in about three weeks
respective cemetery,
after completing the procedures.
to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon to apply for: ■ After the application has been confirmed and approved, bring the letter
issued by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in person to the
– the “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A]; and Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene
– the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150]. Department on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon to apply for:
– the “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A]; and
■ Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
Upon receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department – the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150].
will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
■ Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
■ After completing the procedures, the applicant should arrange exhumation Upon receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
of the remains according to the requirements of the respective private will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
cemetery.
■ After completing the procedures, the applicant should engage a registered
(iii) If Buried at Places other than Cemeteries mason to exhume the remains.
■ An applicant should complete the “Application for Exhumation or B. Ways to Dispose of Exhumed Remains
Relocation of Remains at Places Other Than Cemeteries” [FEHB 241]
and “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB 148] (i) Cremation
and bring along the following documents: ■ For cremation of exhumed remains, while an applicant is arranging for
– the original “Certificate of Registration of Death” [Form 10] exhumation of remains at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food
(commonly known as “burial permit”); or and Environmental Hygiene Department on Hong Kong Island or in
Kowloon as stated in Part A of this chapter, he/she may obtain and complete
– the original “Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body” the following form:
[Form 11] (commonly known as “burial order”)

25 26
 – “Application for Cremation of Skeletal Remains” [FEHB 263]. a. the original and a copy of the document issued by the relevant rural
committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the
After completing the procedures and payment of fee (see Appendix II), the
Islands District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children; and
applicant will be given a receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains.
b. the original and a copy of a statutory declaration made by the legal
■ The applicant should bring:
personal representative or next of kin of the deceased, or the duly
– the exhumed remains of the deceased; authorized agent of such legal personal representative or next of kin
– the original “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150]; and to declare that the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands
District or a bona fide local resident or their minor children.
– the receipt of fee for cremation of skeletal remains,
(iii) Re-burial at Urn Graves of Private Cemeteries or Deposit in
to the Wo Hop Shek or Cheung Chau Crematorium Office to arrange for Ossuaries of Private Cemeteries
cremation of exhumed remains.
■ In case of application for re-burial at an urn grave of a private cemetery
■ 4 days after cremation, the applicant can bring along the receipt of fee for or deposit in an ossuary of a private cemetery, an applicant may apply for
cremation of skeletal remains and collect the cremated ashes and the “Permit an “Authorisation to Remove Skeletal Remains” at the Cemeteries and
to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [FEHB 153]. Please refer to Page 14 for Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on
ways to dispose of cremated ashes. Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon.
(ii) Re-burial at Public Cemeteries ■ An applicant has to:
■ Application for re-burial at public cemeteries should be made at the – submit a completed “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume
Cemeteries and Crematoria (Kowloon) Office of Food and Environmental Remains” [FEHB 148];
Hygiene Department.
– produce the “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” [FEHB 150]; and
■ The applicant should obtain and complete the “Application for Urn
Grave Burial or Placing Additional Skeletal Remains/Ashes” [FEHB – produce the approval document for re-burial at an urn grave or deposit
262] and produce the original “Authorisation to Exhume Remains” in an ossuary issued by the private cemetery concerned.
[FEHB 150]. Upon completion of the procedures and payment of fee Upon completion of the procedures, the applicant can pay the fee at the
(see Appendix II), the applicant will be issued with the “Authorisation to shroff and obtain the payment receipt. The “Authorisation to Remove
Bury Skeletal Remains”. He/She should engage a registered mason to bury Skeletal Remains” can be collected at the collection counter upon payment
the exhumed remains in an urn grave. of the fee.
■ Application for a new urn grave is only available for interment of the skeletal ■ Applicant may also fill in the e-form and submit the application online.
remains in any public cemetery for the first time. If the skeletal remains Upon receipt of the form, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
were already buried in an urn grave of a public cemetery, only application will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of relevant documents.
for relocation and re-burial at a vacated urn grave will be considered and
processed by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. ■ The applicant may contact the private cemetery direct for deposit of remains
in an ossuary or re-burial.
■ 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 Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department must be supported by the following documents if the deceased
was not originally buried in any of these cemeteries:

27 28
 Import and Export of Dead Bodies / Exhumed (ii) Import of Dead Bodies (into Hong Kong)

5 Remains / Cremated Ashes

A. Import and Export of Dead Bodies
■ An applicant should first obtain the medical certificate of the cause of death
and the embalming certificate and complete the export procedures in the
country concerned. If the body of the deceased is to be transported from the
Mainland to Hong Kong, the applicant is required to provide the identity
(i) Export of Dead Bodies (out of Hong Kong) document of the deceased and contact a Mainland undertaker to seek export
approval from the relevant Mainland authority.
■ If the body of a deceased is to be exported out of Hong Kong, an applicant
should, after death registration, apply for the “Permit for Removal of Dead ■ With the approval granted by the relevant Mainland authority, the applicant
Body from Hong Kong” [Form 9] at the Deaths Registry of Immigration can contact a licensed undertaker or funeral parlour in Hong Kong to
Department in the Joint Office. arrange receipt and transportation of the dead body. The applicant should
inform the company importing the dead body into Hong Kong of the name
■ The applicant can obtain the application form [SF/BDR/3] from of the authorised funeral parlour or undertaker.
the counter and complete it by providing the information required, such as
the personal particulars of the deceased, the proposed time for exporting ■ If the dead body is to be transported to Hong Kong by sea or land, the
the dead body out of Hong Kong and the destination. applicant/the authorised funeral parlour or undertaker should, before
arrival of the dead body in Hong Kong, apply for the “Permit to Import a
■ The applicant is required to produce originals and copies of the documents Human Corpse” from the Port Health Office of Department of Health.
permitting the burial issued by the overseas cemetery where the dead body is The “Application for the Import of a Human Corpse” [DH2437]
to be buried as well as the documents for the import of the dead body into is available at the webpage of Department of Health: [Link]
the country concerned. hk/english/useful/useful_forms/useful_forms_qpd.html (address of
■ If the body of the deceased is to be transported to the Mainland: the Head Office of the Port Health Office: Suite 1101, 11/F, AIA Kowloon
Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon;
– the applicant should bring along documents such as the Home Tel: 3904 9316).
Visit Permit, the identity card and “Certificate of Registration of
Death” [Form 12] of the deceased to complete the formalities with ■ If the dead body is to be transported to Hong Kong by air, the applicant/
the International Travel Body Service Centre of the Chinese Funeral the authorised funeral parlour or undertaker should apply for the “Permit
Association according to the requirements of the Ministry of Civil to Import a Human Corpse” from the Airport Section of the Port Health
Affairs of the Mainland. (For details, please refer to the webpage of Office of Department of Health at the Passenger Terminal Building. Staff
the Ministry of Civil Affairs, People’s Republic of China: [Link] of the authorised funeral parlour/undertaker are required to receive the dead
[Link]); and body at the cargo terminal in the airport (address of the Airport Section
of the Port Health Office of Department of Health: Room 5T577, Arrival
– the applicant should contact a local licensed undertaker or funeral Hall, Passenger Terminal Building, Hong Kong International Airport;
parlour direct to arrange transportation of the dead body. Tel: 2182 1303).
■ If the body of the deceased is to be transported to an overseas country:
B. Import and Export of Exhumed Remains
– care must be taken to ensure that the deceased had the passport of the
receiving country and that import permission has been obtained from its (i) Export of Exhumed Remains (out of Hong Kong)
government. Enquiries can be made to the consulate concerned; and ■ Under the current practice, export of exhumed remains out of Hong Kong
– upon grant of permission and completion of import procedures, the does not require application to the Hong Kong government.
applicant should contact a local licensed undertaker or funeral parlour ■ However, some countries may require the applicants to produce “Certificate
direct to arrange transportation of the dead body. of Burial” and “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” for import of

29 30
 exhumed remains. If necessary, the applicants can apply for the above Health: [Link]
certificate/permit at a Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of Food and forms_qpd.html) and produce the medical certificate of cause of death and
Environmental Hygiene Department for meeting the import requirements export permit issued by the authorities of the export country.
of the country concerned.
■ The arrangements for import of exhumed remains are the same as those
■ The applicant is required to complete: required for import of dead bodies. Please refer to Part A(ii) of this Chapter
for details.
– “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB148];
and C. Import and Export of Cremated Ashes
– “Application for Certificate of Burial” [FEHB143], ■ Under the current practice, import and export of cremated ashes into
and bring along the following documents in person to the Cemeteries and and out of Hong Kong do not require application to the Hong Kong
Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on government.
Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon for processing: ■ However, some countries may require the applicants to produce the
– a completed “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” “Certificate of Cremation” and “Authorisation to Remove Cremated
[FEHB148]; Ashes” for import of cremated ashes. If necessary, the applicants can apply
for the above certificate/authorisation at a Cemeteries and Crematoria
– a completed “Application for Certificate of Burial” [FEHB143]; Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for a deceased
– supporting documents indicating the final disposal method of the who was cremated at a crematorium managed by the department.
exhumed remains (for example, if the exhumed remains are to be buried ■ The applicant is required to complete:
in a foreign country, please provide the original and a copy of the burial
permit issued by the cemetery concerned and the permit to import the – “Application for Certificate of Cremation” [FEHB143]; and
exhumed remains issued by the country concerned); and – “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEHB148].
– the original “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” [FEH(L)86A] ■ The applicant should bring along the following documents to the Cemeteries
issued by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department when and Crematoria Office of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
exhumation of the remains was approved. on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon in person for processing:
■ The applicant can pay the fee at the shroff and obtain the payment receipt. – a completed “Application for Certificate of Cremation” [FEHB143];
The “Certificate of Burial” and “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains” can
be collected at the collection counter upon payment of the fee. – a completed “Application for Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains”
[FEHB148]; and
■ Applicant may also fill in the e-forms of the above application forms and
submit the applications online. Upon receipt of the forms, Food and – the original or a copy of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”
Environmental Hygiene Department will contact the applicant to arrange [FEHB153].
for submission of relevant documents. ■ The applicant can pay the fee at the shroff and obtain the payment receipt.
(ii) Import of Exhumed Remains (into Hong Kong) The “Certificate of Cremation” and “Authorisation to Remove Cremated
Ashes” can be collected at the collection counter upon payment of the fee.
■ Import of exhumed remains requires application for the “Permit to Import
a Human Corpse” to the Head Office of the Port Health Office of ■ Applicant may also fill in the e-forms of the above application forms and
Department of Health. submit the applications online. Upon receipt of the forms, Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department will contact the applicant to arrange
■ An applicant is required to complete “Application for the Import of a for submission of relevant documents.
Human Corpse” [DH2437] (available at the webpage of Department of

31 32
6 Internet Memorial Service
■ The public may create a memorial webpage at the Internet Memorial Service
website ([Link] and upload texts, photos and
videos to preserve fond memories of their lost loved ones.
■ 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 Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department 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 Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department.
■ 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’.
■ The computer system of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will
verify the information of the deceased who was buried or kept in a Hong
Kong private cemetery or private columbarium. If the information cannot
be verified, the applicant may have to submit documentary proof. The
application will then be handled by designated staff separately.
■ By simply entering the name of the deceased, the public can search, browse
and leave messages in uploaded memorial webpages that are set as open to
the public.
■ The Internet Memorial Service launched the mobile version ([Link].
[Link]) and three demonstration videos on 25 September 2011. The public
may browse the mobile version of the memorial webpages and pay tribute
there. Owners of memorial webpages may use the mobile version to manage
their webpages.
33 34
7 Organ Donation
■ Organ donation is a symbol of love and rekindles the hopes of other people.
* The organ donation publicity leaflet can be obtained at reception of the
following places:
Hong Kong
To help patients with imminent need for organ transplant, you may indicate Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan
your wish to donate your organs after death. For details, please visit the Hospital
website [Link] or call the 24-hour health education The Hong Kong Medical Association 5/F, Duke of Windsor Social Service
hotline of Department of Health at 2833 0111. Building, 15 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
■ Prospective donors may register with the Centralised Organ Donation Ruttonjee Hospital 266 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Register (CODR) in the following ways: Tang Shiu Kin Hospital 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
– register online directly at the above webpage; or Queen Mary Hospital 102 Pok Fu Lam Road
– after completing the registration form attached to the organ donation Central Health Education Unit, 7/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy
publicity leaflet, which can be downloaded from the abovementioned Department of Health Road, Wan Chai
homepage, send it by post to “CODR System Administrator, Department
of Health, 21/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Kowloon
Hong Kong” or by fax to 2127 4926; or Queen Elizabeth Hospital 30 Gascoigne Road
– obtain a copy of the organ donation publicity leaflet at the locations Caritas Medical Centre 111 Wing Hong Street, Sham Shui Po
indicated in the tables* (see Page 36), and send the completed United Christian Hospital 130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong
registration form either by post or by fax to the address or fax number
mentioned above. Centre for Health Protection, 4/F, 147C Argyle Street
Department of Health
■ For those prospective donors who prefer not to register with the CODR, Health InfoWorld, Hospital Authority Ground Floor, Hospital Authority
they may fill in the organ donation card (which is attached to the organ Building, 147B Argyle Street
donation publicity leaflet) to express their wish to donate organs after death.
Kwong Wah Hospital 25 Waterloo Road
However, they should carry the completed organ donation card at all times.
■ Prospective donors should bear in mind that they should tell their families New Territories
about their wish. Yan Chai Hospital 7 - 11 Yan Chai Street, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun Hospital 23 Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun
North District Hospital 9 Po Kin Road, Sheung Shui
Tseung Kwan O Hospital 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau,
Tseung Kwan O
Prince of Wales Hospital 30 - 32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin
Pok Oi Hospital Au Tau, Yuen Long
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital 11 Chuen On Road, Tai Po
Princess Margaret Hospital 2 - 10 Princess Margaret Hospital Road
Tsuen Wan Health Education Centre, 13/F, Tsuen Wan Government Office, 38
Department of Health Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan

35 36
8 Body Donation
■ Body donation is very important to education and research in healthcare
9 Ashes Scattering Plan for Body Donors
■ The Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC)
professions, and eventually to the betterment of human health. You may has launched the “Silent Teacher” and “Great Body Teacher” Ashes
indicate your wish to donate your body after death for the purposes of Scattering Plan with the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of
medical education and research. For details, please browse the following Hong Kong and the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of
websites or contact: Hong Kong respectively. Body donors or their family members can choose
to scatter the ashes of the donors at the Junk Bay Garden of Remembrance
“Great Body Teacher” Body Donation Programme, Li Ka Shing Faculty of
of BMCPC. Dedicated memorial walls are erected at the Garden of
Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Remembrance in recognition of the selfless contribution of body donors.
Website: [Link]
Facebook: [Link] For more information about the Ashes Scattering Plan, please visit the
Tel No.: 3917 6334 website [Link] or call BMCPC at 3719 7785.
“Silent Teacher” Body Donation Programme, Faculty of Medicine,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Website: [Link]
Tel No.: 3943 6050

The “Silent Teacher” Memorial Wall at the Junk The “Great Body Teacher” Memorial Wall at the
Bay Garden of Remembrance of BMCPC Junk Bay Garden of Remembrance of BMCPC

Medical students of the University of Medical students of the Chinese University of

Hong Kong attended a ceremony to pay respect to Hong Kong attended a ceremony to pay respect to
the “Great Body Teacher”. the “Silent Teachers”.

37 38
 Endless Love - Healing Act
Ashes scattering and memorial plaque for cadaveric
10 organ donor
■ The Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC)
in conjunction with Hong Kong Kidney Foundation (HKKF) has set up
the “Endless Love – Healing Act” program, effective from July 2017. The
purpose is to honor cadaveric organ donors, as their organs allow patients
with end-stage organ failure a “new life”.
■ BMCPC has set up a memorial wall in the Garden of Remembrance at Junk
Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery for the family to scatter the ashes. HKKF
will honor the donor with a plaque for the family to mount on the memorial
wall.
For further detail, please visit website: [Link]
Enquiry: 2716 5773

39 40
Appendix The Immigration Department of the Joint Office only handles registration of
deaths from natural causes. Death registration services for cases referred from the
Coroner, and for deaths from natural causes on Sundays and public holidays, are
Appendix I:
available at the Births and Deaths General Register Office of the Immigration
Contact Information of Relevant Government Departments Department. Please refer to Part (b) of this Appendix.
(a) The Joint Office set up by the Immigration Department, Department (b) The Births and Deaths General Register Office of Immigration
of Health and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Department
Joint Office Hong Kong Kowloon Matters Handled The Births and Deaths 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices,
Island Office Office General Register 66 Queensway, Hong Kong
18/F, Wu 1/F, Cheung Office Tel: 2867 2784
Chung House, Sha Wan
213 Queen’s Government Office Hours Monday to Friday : 8:45 a.m. to Only handles death
Road East, Wan Offices, 303 4:45 p.m. registration cases
Chai, Hong Cheung Sha Saturday : 9:00 a.m. to referred from the
Kong Wan Road, 11:30 a.m. Coroner
Kowloon
Sunday and public holiday: Only handles
i) Immigration Hong Kong Kowloon Application for 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. registration of deaths
Department Island Deaths Deaths “Certificate of from natural causes
Website: http:// Registry Registry Registration of Death”
[Link]/ Tel: 2961 8841 Tel: 2368 4706 [Form 12] (commonly
eng/services/birth- known as “going-out (c) Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices of Food and Environmental
death-marriage- pass”) and “Certificate
of Registration of
Hygiene Department
[Link]
Death” [Form 10]
(commonly known as Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office Handles applications
“Burial Permit” ) 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Tel: 2570 4318 related to the disposal
Happy Valley Fax:2591 1879 of skeletal remains and
(ii) Department of Health Port Health Port Health Application for cremated ashes
Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Website: http:// Office (Hong Office “Cremation Permit”
Kong Island) (Kowloon) [Form 3] Upper Ground Floor, Tel: 2365 5321
[Link]/ 6 Cheong Hang Road,Hung Hom Fax:2176 4963
english/main/main_ Tel: 2961 8843 Tel: 2150 7232
ph/main_ph.html
(d) Social Welfare Department
(iii) Food and Cremation Cremation Booking of cremation
Environmental Booking Office Booking Office session
Hygiene Department (Hong Kong (Kowloon) Hotline (24-hours) – If a Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)
Website: [Link] Island) Tel: 2343 2255 recipient has passed away, there will be a lump sum of burial
Tel: 2150 7502 grant with an upper limit provided by the Social Welfare
[Link]/english/ Tel: 2961 8842 Website: [Link] Department to the relatives to cover the cost of the funeral.
cc/[Link] [Link]/en/index/
– The accidental or sudden death of a family member (in
Office Hours Monday to Friday : 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. particular the breadwinner) will bring the whole family into
2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. hardship. Those in need may approach SWD for assistance.
Saturday : 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(Closed on Sunday and public holiday)

41 42
(e) Home Affairs Department Appendix II:
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Estate Beneficiaries Support Services Family members of the deceased may
Tel: 2835 1535 apply for the release of money from List of Charges for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services *
the deceased’s personal bank account
Website: [Link] to meet the funeral expenses or for
services/estates/[Link] Service Item Charge
maintenance of the deceased’s former
dependant(s). 1. Adult cremation $1,220

Central Telephone Enquiry Center Enquiries on various relevant 2. Child cremation $650
Tel: 2835 2500 government services.
3. Cremation of Skeletal remains $90
Website: [Link]
services/public_enquiry_services/[Link] Certificate of Cremation (for export of cremated
4. $140
ashes)
Temporary storage of ashes after the first two
5. $80
months following cremation (each month)#
Administration fee for placing each memorial
6. $90
plaque
7. Standard niche and permit to place a memorial Use of each niche: $2,800
plaque Administration fee for placing
each memorial plaque: $90
The works and material costs
of the plaque are to be agreed
with the registered contractor
direct by the applicant.
8. Large niche and permit to place a memorial Use of each niche: $3,600
plaque Administration fee for placing
each memorial plaque: $90
The works and material costs
of the plaque are to be agreed
with the registered contractor
direct by the applicant.
9. Adult burial $3,190
10. Child burial $2,605
11. Urn grave (burial of skeletal remains) $6,305
Certificate of Burial (for export of exhumed
12. $140
remains)
13. Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains $120
Replacement of Permit to Remove/Exhume
14. $140
Remains
15. Official signature fee@ $140

43 44
 Appendix III:
* This list of charges will be revised as necessary. For the latest charges, please refer to the webpage Office hours of “Farewell Services” of Hospitals
of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department:
[Link]
# Relatives can choose not to collect cremains immediately after cremation, but to temporarily Hospitals with Telephone Office hours for
Cluster
store the cremains in government facilities as necessary. The service is a transitional farewell services number the farewell services
arrangement. The cremains may be stored for any period not exceeding 2 months free of charge;
thereafter, a monthly charge of $80 will be collected. No paying of tribute will be arranged Pamela Youde
during the storage period. Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
Nethersole 2595 6224
@ The official signature fee of an application for changing remains exportation destination on an Eastern Hospital 08:30 to 16:00
approved permit to remove/exhume remains or an application for placing additional set(s) of Hong Kong
cremated ashes is $140 each. Island East
Ruttonjee and Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
Tang Shiu Kin 2291 1030
Hospitals 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00

Grantham Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday

2518 2201
Hospital 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 15:30

Tung Wah Group

Hong Kong of Hospitals Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
2855 6111
Island West Fung Yiu King 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
Hospital

Queen Mary Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday

2255 3678
Hospital 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00

Buddhist Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday

2339 6127
Hospital 08:30 to 17:00
Kowloon
Central
Queen Elizabeth Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
3506 8434
Hospital 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00

Tseung Kwan O Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday

2208 0906
Hospital 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
Kowloon
East
United Christian Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
3513 3572
Hospital 09:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 16:00

45 46
 Appendix IV:
Caritas Medical Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday Websites and Contact Numbers of Organisations providing
3408 6345
Centre 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
Funeral Services, Support on Funeral Matters and Counselling
Services, etc.
Kwong Wah Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
Hospital
3517 6194
07:00 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 17:00
(a) Licensed Funeral Parlours, Undertakers of Burial and
Registered Service Providers
Kowloon List of Licensed Funeral Parlours
West Monday to Friday:
Our Lady of [Link]
09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:15
Maryknoll 2354 2209
Hospital Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: List of Licensed Undertakers of Burial
09:00 to 12:00 [Link]
List of Registered Masons Permitted to Provide Services on Burial
Yan Chai Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday and Exhumation of Skeletal Remains, and Installation of Headstones
2417 8146 and Grave Coverings Surfaces in Public Cemeteries
Hospital 08:30 to 12:15 and 13:30 to 16:15
[Link]

Alice Ho Miu List of Registered Marble Manufacturer/Contractor Permitted to Provide

Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday Services in Public Columbaria
Ling Nethersole 2689 3426
Hospital 08:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 [Link]
(b) Cemetery and Funeral Services
North District Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
Hospital
2683 7112 The Board of Management of Tel: 2511 1116
09:00 to 16:00
the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries
N.T. East [Link]
Prince of Wales Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday Community Services Division, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
3505 2252
Hospital 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 [Link]
International Funeral Parlour Tel: 2303 1234
Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday
Shatin Hospital 2636 7509 Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour Tel: 2326 0121
09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
FEHD has no authorised funeral agents or undertakers. Reports and
Pok Oi Hospital 2486 8846 complaints can be made to the Department should there be such claims
Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday made by anyone.
N.T. West
Tuen Mun 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
2468 5148
Hospital
(c) Support on Funeral Matters and Counselling
St. James’ Settlement (Life and Death Education Website) Tel: 2831 3230
[Link]
Caritas Elderly Service (hospice care services) Tel: 3582 9477
[Link] /2479 7383
47 48
 Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care Tel: 2868 1211 Appendix V:
(bereavement support) An Overview of Coffins
[Link]
The Comfort Care Concern Group Tel: 2361 6606
Eco-coffins:
(funeral support and bereavement counselling services) The use of eco-coffins can reduce tree felling and reduce emissions of pollutants
[Link] during cremation. As in the case of traditional coffins, eco-coffins of different
styles and prices are available for selection. Made of recycled paper, these coffins
SKH Holy Carpenter Church Tel: 2362 0268
can carry a load of 150 kg or more. The designs are solemn and decent.
(funeral and bereavement support of
“the Paraclete-Care-And-Comfort Angel”)
[Link]
Society for Community Organisation Tel: 2713 9165
(after-death arrangement services for the elderly)
[Link]
The Against Elderly Abuse of Hong Kong Tel: 8200 1711
(hospice care services for the elderly)
[Link]
Suicide Prevention Services Tel: 2382 2737
(bereavement support for suicide survivors – Project BLESS)
[Link] European style American style
The coffin is in diamond or olivary shape The coffin is in rectangular shape with
TWGHs Chun Tei Kok Buddhist Association Limited Tel: 2884 2033 with a flat cover on the top and a flat cover on the top and decoration handles
Centre of Life Enlightening - “Be-With Service” decoration handles on both sides. on both sides. The design is simple
but it gives a sense of solemnity.
(Funeral and Bereavement Support)
[Link]
Banyan Service – Friend of Sunset Service Tel: 2763 9944
(After-death arrangement services for the elderly)
[Link]
(d) Organ/Body Donation and Internet Memorial Service
Organ Donation of the Department of Health Tel: 2833 0111
[Link]
Body Donation of the University of Hong Kong Tel: 3917 6334
[Link]
Japanese style Chinese style
Body Donation of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Tel: 3943 6050
The coffin is in rectangular shape with The surface of the coffin has natural wood
[Link] a half opening cover. It is usually in a dark colour patterns. It adopts a strong traditional
with decoration handles on both sides, Chinese style in appearance.
Internet Memorial Service Tel: 2951 4358 giving a sense of simplicity and solemnity.
[Link]

49 50
Western Coffins: ■ The prices of the coffins which are made of different materials range from
a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars (or even more).
They are usually made of teak wood, oak wood or synthetic wood, but there are Undertakers in general will offer a package price to provide one-stop
also bronze-made coffins. Coffins made of synthetic wood are more suitable for supporting services and the price will include the costs of coffin and renting
cremation, whereas teak, oak and bronze coffins are mostly for burial. service hall. It is advisable for the public to pay attention to the various
charges during selection for comparison.
Other Points to Note
■ The Government maintains strict control over cremator emissions to avoid
causing air pollution. Unsuitable coffins and / or the funeral objects put
inside the coffin can affect the operation of cremators, which may result in
air pollution.
■ When selecting coffins, members of the public are urged not to choose those
with dimensions larger than 710 mm (28 in) in height / 760 mm (30 in) in
width / 1 980 mm (78 in) in length. The external surface of the coffin should
not have any metal ornaments or plastic (e.g. Polyvinyl Chloride, i.e. PVC)
attachments.
■ It is advisable not to put metal or plastic objects, or expensive funeral objects
Chinese Coffins: into the coffin.
They are usually made of Phoebe zhennan wood, zelkova wood, China fir wood ■ Metal or plastic ornaments fixed to the external surface of the coffin must be
and synthetic wood. Their prices may vary greatly according to the wood type. removed and disposed of before arrival at the crematorium.

51 52
Appendix VI: For Urgent burial
Required Certificates/Permits/Application Forms for after-death
Permit for Removal and Burial Form 8 Issued by the nearest police station
arrangements of Dead Body
Death Registration
(a) Deaths from Natural Causes (b) Death from Unnatural Causes (Cremation / Burial)

Cremation Certificate of Order Authorizing Form 11 Issued by Coroner

Burial/ Cremation of Body
Medical Certificate of the Cause Form 18 Issued by the attending doctor
of Death
Medical Certificate (Cremation) Form 2 Issued by the attending doctor Export of Human Remains
Certificate of Registration of Form 12 Issued by the deaths registry of the
Death Immigration Department Application for a Permit for SF/BDR/3@ Apply to the Immigration
Removal of Dead Body from Department
Cremation Permit Form 3 Issued by the Port Health Office of Hong Kong Form 9
the Department of Health Permit for Removal of Dead Issued by Immigration Department
Application for Private FEHB 135* Apply to Cremation Booking Body from Hong Kong
Cremation Office of the Food and
([Link] Environmental Hygiene
english/forms/[Link]) Department of the joint office Import of Human Remains / Skeletal Remains
Application for Cancellation of FEHB 264*
Cremation Booking Application for the Import of a DH2437 Apply to the Department of
([Link] Human Corpse Health
english/forms/[Link]) ([Link]
Permit to Take Away Cremated FEHB 153 Issued by the Cemeteries and english/useful/useful_forms/
Ashes Crematoria Offices of the Food useful_forms_qpd.html)
and Environmental Hygiene Permit to Import a Human – Issued by the Department of
Department Corpse Health

Burial

Medical Certificate of the Cause Form 18 Issued by the attending doctor

of Death
Certificate of Registration of Form 12 Issued by the deaths registry of the
Death (commonly known as Immigration Department
“Going-out Pass”)
Certificate of Registration of Form 10 Issued by the deaths registry of the
Death (commonly known as Immigration Department
“Burial Permit”)
Application for Burial at Public FEHB 144* Apply to the cemetery office
Cemetery concerned of the Food and
([Link] Environmental Hygiene
english/forms/[Link]) Department

53 54
Disposal / Export of Skeletal Remains Disposal / Export of Cremated Ashes
Application for Permit to FEHB 148* Apply to the Cemeteries and Application for Certificate of FEHB 143* Apply to the Cemeteries and
Remove/Exhume Remains Crematoria Offices of the Food Cremation Crematoria Offices of the Food
([Link] and Environmental Hygiene ([Link] and Environmental Hygiene
english/forms/[Link]) Department english/forms/[Link]) Department
Application for Certificate of FEHB 143* Application for a Niche FEHB 136*
Burial ([Link]
([Link] english/forms/[Link])
english/forms/[Link]) Application for Placing FEHB 136A*
Application for Cremation of FEHB 263* Additional Urn(s)
Skeletal Remains ([Link]
([Link] english/forms/[Link])
english/forms/[Link])
Application for Urn Grave FEHB 262* Certificate of Cremation FEH(L)88 Issued by the Cemeteries and
Burial or Placing Additional Authorisation to Remove – Crematoria Offices of the Food
Skeletal Remains/Ashes Cremated Ashes and Environmental Hygiene
([Link] Department
english/forms/[Link])

Permit to Remove/Exhume FEH(L)86A Issued by the Cemeteries and Scattering of Cremated Ashes
Remains Crematoria Offices of the Food
Authorisation to Exhume FEHB 150 and Environmental Hygiene (a) Scattering Cremated Ashes at Sea
Remains Department
Certificate of Burial – Application for Scattering of FEHB 198* Apply to the Cemeteries and
Cremated Human Ashes in Crematoria Offices of the Food
Authorisation to Bury Skeletal –
Hong Kong Waters and Environmental Hygiene
Remains
([Link] Department
Authorisation to Remove –
english/forms/[Link])
Skeletal Remains
Application for Scattering of FEHB 198A*
Cremated Human Ashes in
Hong Kong Waters and Free
Ferry Service to Designated Area
([Link]
english/forms/[Link])

55 56
(b) Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance

Application for Scattering FEHB 219* Apply to the Cemeteries and

Cremated Ashes/ Mounting Crematoria Offices of the Food
Commemorative Plaques at and Environmental Hygiene
Gardens of Remembrance Department
([Link]
english/forms/[Link])

* All application forms of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are available at
the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department website ( [Link]
english/forms/index_forms.html), or at its Cremation Booking Offices or Cemeteries and
Crematoria Offices (Appendix I).
@ Application for a Permit for Removal of Dead Body from Hong Kong [SF/BDR/3] can be
obtained from the Deaths Registries of Immigration Department.

57