A Guide to After-Death Arrangements

“Big Sister Fung, a senior female performing artist I respect, passed 

away earlier on. At her wish, her descendents donated her body to 

the University of Hong Kong for medical research before its 

cremation and the scattering of the ashes at sea. 

Auntie Fung’s decision deeply touched me. It enabled me to see that 

the value and meaning of life could be extended beyond death, for 

the benefit of the living. 

People often lose their heads when a family member is gone. The 

publication of this booklet by FEHD helps the public know more 

about the after-death arrangements to be made. It is a practical 

guide and I support its publication. Furthermore, it covers organ 

donation, use of eco-coffins and scattering of cremated ashes at sea 

or at gardens of remembrance, which are meaningful things that 

would benefit our community. With the progess of society, death is 

no longer a taboo. All of us can make after-death arrangements for 

ourselves and our beloved ones in a meaningful way.” 

Published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government 

(04/2013) 

Nina Paw Hee Ching 

Actress 

A Guide to 

After-Death Arrangements

Foreword 

Separation and death are inevitabilities in life. 

While the passing away of family members, relatives or friends 

is sad and painful, reality requires us to make after-death 

arrangements for them. This booklet tells you how to arrange 

for funerals and provides other related information. We hope it 

is of use in helping you tide over these difficult moments in life. 

i

Preface 

Death is a taboo subject to Chinese. There is hence very little literature on death available for 

reference. 

Since birth, aging, illness and death are bound to happen in life, why do we have to shun the 

subject? I learnt more about death from my travels. I learnt that funerals could become musical 

events when I went to New Zealand and Australia. In Mexico, I learnt that death could be 

celebrated by firework display. Death is not all grief and sorrow. It is the departure of the loved 

ones for another blissful world. 

This said, I cried my eyes out on the departure of my father. After all, I am not that free and easy. 

I am mortal. There was deep affection and I could not help feeling sad. 

But what should we do afterwards? The whole family felt helpless and we had to ask around about 

how to get a coffin. Secular customs cannot be avoided. My siblings had to put out an obituary 

in the newspaper. I was kept waiting in the advertising department of the newspaper. Which 

utterly incensed me. 

The undertakers came and said they had to embalm my father at once. This was the first time I 

learnt the English word “embalm”. I had read many articles by Master Hong-yi who said that the 

body should not be moved within eight hours from death. I had always believed him. Perhaps the 

soul was still there, so how could the body endure the burning antiseptic solution? So, I told the 

undertakers to come back later. 

Burial? Or cremation? The former is almost a luxury at a time when primeval forests are all 

deforestated for making houses. Some countries in fact only allow cremation. Whatever the 

decision, application for a permit is required. Aha, for birth or death, certificates are required. We 

have so many certificates in life. It also reflects how little we know about death. 

Fortunately, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong has published a 

booklet titled “A Guide to After-Death Arrangements”. It explains all the arrangements to make 

and provides a useful reference. 

The booklet is a must to read, just as one must die in life. I strongly recommend it to you. 

Sorrow has to be balanced by joyfulness. Let me talk about something interesting. I never 

can understand why funeral matters are the business of the Food and Environmental Hygiene 

Department. The department is busy enough with food safety and environmental hygiene issues. 

Why don’t after-death matters be assigned to other departments? Ha, ha. 

When it is my turn to go, just scatter my ashes in Victoria Harbour. Watching the glittering lights 

on the harbour sides every night is sheer joy. 

CONTENTS 

Foreword i 

Preface ii 

Contents iii 

Application for Death Certificate / 

Cremation Permit / Burial Permit 

1. Application Procedures 1 

2. Outlying Islands or Remote Areas in the New Territories 3 

Funeral Arrangements 

1. Licensed Undertaker (Coffin Shop) 4 

2. Holding the Ceremony in the Funeral Parlour 4 

3. Holding the Funeral for the Deceased in the Hospital 5 

– an Option to Hold a Simple Funeral Ceremony 

4. Coffins 6 

Application for Cremation 

1. Booking of Cremation Sessions at Crematoria 7 

2. Particulars of the Six Crematoria Operated by FEHD 8 

3. Change of Place, Date or Time of Cremation 9 

upon Completion of the Booking Procedures 

4. Specifications of Coffins for Cremation 9 

5. Application for Witnessing the Putting of the Coffin 9 

into the Cremator 

Chua Lam 

Writer 

ii iii

Application for Burial 

1. Public Cemeteries 10 

2. Application for Burial in a Public Cemetery 11 

3. Private Cemeteries 11 

4. Grave Space and Tombstone 12 

Exporting Human Remains out of 13 

Hong Kong 

Disposal of Cremated Ashes 

1. Ways of Disposal of Cremated Ashes 14 

2. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Sea 15 

3. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance 18 

4. Columbaria at Government Crematoria 20 

5. Placing of Additional Cinerary Urns in Urn Graves 

at Government Cemeteries 

20 

6. Import and Export of Cremated Ashes 21 

Exhumation of Remains 

1. Procedures for Exhumation of Remains 22 

2. Disposal of Exhumed Remains 23 

3. Import and Export of Exhumed Remains 24 

Importing Human Remains into Hong Kong 

and Other Circumstances 

1. Importing Human Remains into Hong Kong 25 

2. To Have the Remains of the Deceased Buried in 26 

a Pubic or Private Cemetery for Less Than Six Years 

Exhumed, Cremated, Relocated to Another Cemetery 

or Exported out of Hong Kong 

3. Claiming a Dead Body Buried by Government at 26 

Sandy Ridge Cemetery 

Internet Memorial Service 27 

Organ Donation 28 

Support from the Government and 

Non-government Organisations 

1. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security 29 

Assistance (CSSA) 

2. Death of the Breadwinner 29 

3. Support Services Provided by Non-government 29 

Organisations (NGOs) 

Appendix 

Appendix I 30 

Contact Information of Relevant Government Departments 

Appendix II 32 

Useful Websites 

Appendix III 33 

List of Non-government Organisations Providing 

Funeral-related Services 

Appendix IV 34 

Required Forms 

Appendix V 36 

An Overview of Coffins 

List of Charges for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services (Attachment) 

iv v

Application for Death Certificate / 

Cremation Permit / Burial Permit 

1. Application Procedures 

n Bring along the following documents to the deaths registry of the 

Immigration Department in the joint office within 24 hours after the 

family member or friend passed away for registration: 

(i) Identity card of the applicant; 

(ii) Identity card of the deceased; and 

(iii) “Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death” (Form 18) from the doctor 

who attended the deceased; 

If the deceased is to be cremated, the applicant also needs to submit: 

(iv) “Medical Certificate (Cremation)” (Form 2) from the doctor who 

attended the deceased. 

n Upon completion of the registration, the applicant will be issued with 

a “Certificate of Registration of Death” (commonly known as “Death 

Certificate”) (Form 12). 

n If the deceased is to be cremated, the applicant should obtain a 

“Cremation Permit” (Form 3) at the Port Health Office of the 

Department of Health and book a cremation session at a crematorium 

at the Cremation Booking Office of the Food and Environmental 

Hygiene Department (FEHD). Both offices are located in the joint 

office. 

n If the deceased is to be buried, the applicant will be issued with a 

“Burial Permit” (Form 10) at the deaths registry of the Immigration 

Department. 

The joint office set up by the Food and Environmental Hygiene 

Department, Immigration Department and Department of Health 

Office Hours 

Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m 

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

(Closed on Sundays and public holidays) 

1

the joint office 

Flow Chart of the Application Procedures* 

Bring along: identity card of the applicant, 

identity card of the deceased, 

Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (Form 18) 

and Medical Certificate (Cremation) (Form 2) 

Deaths Registry of 

the Immigration Department 

Certificate of Registration 

of Death (Form 12) and 

Burial Permit (Form 10) 

[For burial] 

Port Health Office of 

the Department of 

Health 

Cremation Permit 

(Form 3) 

[For cremation] 

Funeral Ceremony (See page 4) 

Cremation Booking 

Office of the Food and 

Environmental Hygiene 

Department 

Booking of cremation 

session [For cremation] 

Cremation (See page 7-9) Burial (See page 10-12) 

*Note : In case of deaths from unnatural causes, e.g. accidental deaths, deaths resulted 

from poison, violence, etc., the death should be reported immediately to the 

police, who will in turn report it to the Coroner. The Coroner may, if he 

considers it necessary, order a post-mortem examination and an inquiry. He 

may also order the body to be buried or cremated. A “Certificate of Order 

Authorising Burial / Cremation of Body” (Form 11), i.e. “Burial Order” or 

“Cremation Order” may be issued as the case requires. 

2 

Hong Kong Island Office 

18/F, Wu Chung House, 

213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 

Hong Kong. 

Tel: 2961 8842 

Kowloon Office 

1/F, Cheung Sha Wan 

Government Offices, 303 Cheung 

Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. 

Tel: 2150 7502 

2. Outlying Islands or Remote Areas in the 

New Territories 

n A deaths registry may not be available in some areas, e.g. outlying islands 

or remote areas in the New Territories. Family members or friends of 

the deceased should report the death to the district police station. 

(i) If the deceased died naturally and was attended by a registered doctor 

n “Permit for Removal and Burial of Dead Body” (Form 8) will be issued 

by the police station. 

n If cremation is chosen, the applicant should bring along the “Permit for 

Removal and Burial of Dead Body” and the identity cards of the applicant 

and the deceased to the deaths registry of the Immigration Department 

in the joint office for registration, and the general procedures will apply. 

n If burial is chosen, the applicant should bring along the “Permit for 

Removal and Burial of Dead Body” and the identity cards of the 

applicant and the deceased to the office of the selected cemetery to 

make a booking for burial. In this case, the registration of death in the 

joint office is not required. 

(ii) If the deceased was not attended by a registered doctor 

n An investigation will first be made by the police. 

n If the police are satisfied that the death was due to natural causes, the 

general procedures will apply. 

n If the cause of death is suspected of being other than natural, the 

procedures on “death from unnatural causes” will apply. 

3

Funeral Arrangements 

If the deceased has planned his / her funeral ahead of time and indicated 

the ritual preferred, the plan may be implemented by family members or 

relatives and friends upon his / her death. Attention should be paid to the 

following when making funeral arrangements: 

1. Licensed Undertaker (Coffin Shop) 

n The legislation provides that a valid Undertaker’s Licence must be 

obtained from FEHD for engagement in a business which involves the 

handling of human remains. 

n There are at present seven licensed funeral parlours in Hong Kong 

which are also holding the licence for undertaker (commonly known as 

“coffin shop”). 

n In addition, there are about 100 other licensed undertakers in Hong Kong. 

The list of the undertakers is available at the FEHD homepage: 

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lu.pdf 

2. Holding the Ceremony in the Funeral Parlour 

n The seven licensed funeral parlours (among which the International 

Funeral Parlour and TWGH Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour are operated 

by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH)) have service halls for 

holding funeral ceremonies as well as mortuary facilities for storing and 

handling human remains. 

n Coffin shops do not have such facilities as mortuaries and service 

halls. They can only be entrusted to take care of services such as the 

transportation of bodies, arrangement of funeral ceremonies and 

booking of funeral parlours. 

n For renting of service hall and mortuary facilities in a funeral parlour, 

booking can be made directly with the undertaker managed by the 

funeral parlour concerned or other licensed undertakers may be 

entrusted to take care of the matter. 

n Staff of licensed undertakers may assist in making applications for 

cremation or burial (such as applying for the “Certificate of Registration 

of Death” and “Cremation Permit”, booking of cremation sessions or 

burial locations, etc). 

4 

3. Holding the Funeral for the Deceased in the Hospital 

– an Option to Hold a Simple Funeral Ceremony 

n If there are only few family members and friends, or if the family of 

the deceased would like to hold a simple funeral ceremony, they can 

entrust licensed undertakers to make funeral arrangements for holding 

the funeral ceremony in the hospital, i.e. the funeral for the deceased 

will be held in the hospital instead of a funeral parlour. 

n Some hospitals have small funeral halls for the bereaved family members 

and friends to hold simple memorial rites. After the rites, the deceased 

will be taken directly to a crematorium or a cemetery for cremation or 

burial. Since holding funeral ceremonies in hospitals does not require 

the renting of funeral halls in funeral parlours, the funeral expenses 

incurred will be lower with comparatively simple rituals. 

n Hospitals that allow holding of funeral ceremony (and the telephone 

numbers for enquiries) are listed below: 

– Hong Kong Island: Queen Mary Hospital (2255 3678), 

Grantham Hospital (2518 2201), Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern 

Hospital (2595 6224) and Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals 

(2291 1030) 

– Kowloon: Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (2339 6126), 

Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital (2354 2209), Kwong Wah Hospital 

(3517 2484), United Christian Hospital (3513 3572) and 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital (2958 8434) 

– New Territories: Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital 

(2689 3426), Tseung Kwan O Hospital (2208 0906), Prince of 

Wales Hospital (2632 2252), North District Hospital (2683 7112), 

Tuen Mun Hospital (2468 5148) and Pok Oi Hospital (2486 8846) 

n The office hours for the service of holding the funeral ceremony in the 

hospital are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telephone enquiries 

on details of the arrangements can be made to the respective hospitals. 

n In general, the service of holding the funeral ceremony in the hospital is 

available only to patients who passed away in hospitals with this service. 

5

The funeral hall at 

Queen Mary Hospital 


Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital 

6 


Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital 


Prince of Wales Hospital 

4. Coffins 

n Suitable coffins can be selected according to the different funeral 

ceremonies held and the method of handling the human remains. 

Please refer to Appendix V for information on different styles of coffins. 

Application for Cremation 

One of the most pressing issues upon the departure of loved ones is to 

determine the way of handling the bodies. In Hong Kong, cremation is the 

most common way to handle the bodies. 

1. Booking of Cremation Sessions at Crematoria 

n After the “Certificate of Registration of Death” is issued, the “Cremation 

Permit” (Form 3) should be obtained at the Port Health Office of the 

Department of Health which is located in the joint office. 

n The form “Application for Private Cremation” should be completed 

and payment of the required fee made at the counter of the FEHD 

Cremation Booking Office in the joint office for booking of cremation 

sessions at crematoria. 

(Note : If the funeral is to be held at a funeral parlour or the funeral hall of a hospital, 

the applicant must ensure that the funeral time ties in with the booked 

cremation session.) 

n An undertaker can book a cremation session and collect the cremated 

ashes of the deceased on the applicant’s behalf. 

n The particulars of the undertaker that the applicant hires must be 

provided in the application form for booking cremation services. The 

application form must also be stamped with the chop of the undertaker 

recognised by FEHD. 

n Should the cremation session be booked by the undertaker, the applicant 

must also complete the authorisation part in the form “Application for 

Private Cremation”. 

n The Cremation Booking Office uses a chit system to facilitate the public 

to book a cremation session at the counter. 

n In accordance with the performance pledge, FEHD will offer a 

cremation session within the next 15 days from the day an application 

is made. 

7

Application for Burial 

1. Public Cemeteries 

n According to the prevailing requirements, the remains must be exhumed 

(i.e. exhumation of skeleton must be carried out) six years after burial in 

a public cemetery. 

n Coffin burial spaces 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* 

(*Note: Applications for coffin burial at the cemeteries at Cheung Chau, Tai O or Lai 

Chi Yuen at Mui Wo must be supported by a certificate issued by the respective 

rural committee certifying that the deceased was an indigenous villager on the 

outlying island or a local resident permanently residing there or an offspring 

of these villagers or local residents.) 

n For charges for cemetery services, please refer to the “List of Charges for 

Cemeteries and Crematoria Services”. 

Wo Hop Shek Cemetery 

Ming Yin Road, Fanling, N.T. 

Tel: 2675 5296 

10 

Cheung Chau Cemetery 

Cheung Chau Peak Road West 

Sai Wan, Cheung Chau 

Tel: 2981 5177 

Tai O Cemetery 

Lantau Island, N.T. 

Tel: 2981 5177 

Tsuen Wan Chinese Permanent 

Cemetery* 

Tseung Kwan O Chinese 

Permanent Cemetery* 

* Also with columbarium 

Operated by the Board of Management of 

the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries 

11 

Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo 

Lantau Island, N.T. 

Tel: 2981 5177 

2. Application for Burial in a Public Cemetery 

n Contact the cemetery office to book the date of burial. 

n A “Certificate of Registration of Death” and “Burial Permit” or “Burial 

Order” must be produced at the cemetery office on the day of burial and 

the required fee paid. 

n The application can be made by a licensed undertaker on behalf of the 

applicant. 

3. Private Cemeteries 

n There are two types of graves, including permanent graves and those 

which require timely “exhumation”. Enquiries on details of charges can 

be made to respective cemeteries. Regarding the grave space in a private 

cemetery, application should be made direct to the management of the 

cemetery concerned. Private cemeteries listed under the Public Health 

and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) include: 

Aberdeen Chinese Permanent 

Cemetery* 

Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent 

Cemetery*

Operated by religious or other organisations 

Cape Collinson Roman Catholic 

Cemetery* 

Happy Valley Roman Catholic 

Cemetery* 

Happy Valley Zoroastrian Cemetery 

Tsuen Wan Chuen Yuen Church 

Cemetery* 

Happy Valley Hindu Cemetery 

Sai Kung Catholic Cemetery* 

Cape Collinson Muslim Cemetery 

Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery 

Castle Peak Christian Cemetery 

* Also with columbarium 

Cape Collinson Buddhist Cemetery* 

Chiu Yuen Cemetery at Mount Davis* 

Pok Fu Lam Road Christian Chinese 

Cemetery* 

Sung Him Tong Sung Chan Wui Kei 

Tuk Kau Fan Cheung* 

Happy Valley Jewish Cemetery 

Grampian Road Christian Chinese 

Cemetery* 

Cheung Sha Wan Roman Catholic 

Cemetery* 

Tao Fong Shan Christian Cemetery* 

Cheung Chau Catholic Cemetery* 

Cheung Chau Christian Cemetery* 

Private Cemeteries not open to the general public for application 

Cape Collinson Military Cemetery 

Gurkha Cemetery 

Stanley Carmelite Cemetery 

So Kon Po Race Course Fire 

Memorial and Cemetery 

4. Grave Space and Tombstone 

n The party concerned may make arrangements to erect a tombstone with 

a mason on the registered list of FEHD. Charges for these services 

vary according to the quality of the stone and the inscription required. 

The list of the registered masons is available at the FEHD homepage: 

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lmp.pdf 

n One should inform the cemetery office concerned in advance if the 

name inscribed on the tombstone is different from the one registered 

with FEHD. Besides, it is important that the party concerned should 

be present on the date the tombstone is erected to ensure that the 

tombstone is placed at the burial point of the coffin. 

12 

Exporting Human Remains out of 

Hong Kong 

n If the body of the deceased is to be transported out of Hong Kong, the 

applicant should, after the death registration, apply for a “Permit for 

the Removal of a Dead Body from Hong Kong” at the deaths registry. 

Information such as the personal particulars of the deceased and when 

and where the body will be transported out of Hong Kong should be 

supplied by the applicant. The permit is free of charge. 

n In some cases, before the aforesaid permit is issued, the applicant should 

also submit proof that permission has been obtained to import the dead 

body into the country concerned. 

n If the body of the deceased is to be transported to the Mainland: 

– The deceased should be a Chinese residing in Hong Kong, Macau or 

Taiwan. 

– The applicant should bring along the Home Visit Permit, the 

identity card and the death certificate of the deceased to the civil 

affairs bureau concerned on the Mainland to apply for an import 

permit. 

– After permission has been obtained, the applicant should liaise with 

a funeral parlour or an undertaker on his / her own to arrange for the 

transportation of the dead body. 

n If the body of the deceased is to be transported to an overseas country: 

– Care must be taken to ensure that the deceased has the passport of 

the receiving country and that import permission has been obtained 

from its government. 

– Enquiries can be made to the consulate concerned. 

– Once permission has been granted and the import procedures 

completed, the applicant should liaise with a funeral parlour or an 

undertaker on his / her own to arrange for the transportation of the 

dead body. 

13

Completion of Application Forms 

n To apply for private boat trips: please complete the form FEHB 198. 

n To use the free ferry service provided by FEHD: please complete the 

form FEHB198A. 

n The above forms are available at the FEHD website 

(http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/forms/index_forms.html); or 

n The following Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices – 

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 

Tel.No. : 2365 5321 Fax No. : 2176 4963 

n An applicant should complete the application form and send it to the 

FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office at least 10 days before the 

proposed date for the scattering of ashes 

Application Procedures 

n Applicants may apply in person or through an authorised agent at one 

of the above Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices, together with the 

completed application form and the original copy of the “Permit to 

Take Away Cremated Ashes”. 

n The application form may be sent to one of the above Offices by fax or 

by post. Upon receipt of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant 

to arrange for return the original copy of the “Permit to Take Away 

Cremated Ashes” in person. 

n FEHD will normally grant approval for scattering cremated ashes at sea 

within five working days after receiving the applications. 

16 

Ferry 

Scattering of fresh flower petals 

17 

Master of Ceremonies 

Scattering of cremated ashes

3. Scattering Cremated Ashes at Gardens of Remembrance 

n FEHD runs eleven gardens of remembrance in eight columbaria for the 

public to scatter cremated ashes of the deceased. 

The new Cape Collinson Garden of Remembrance 

9 Cape Collinson Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong 

Tel: 2556 1377 

Fu Shan Garden of Remembrance 

Lower Shing Mun Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, N.T. 

Tel: 2699 5090 

The new Wo Hop Shek Garden of Remembrance 

Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium 

Phase V, Fanling, N.T. 

Tel: 2696 4031 

Peng Chau Garden of Remembrance 

Peng Chau Columbarium 

Tel: 2981 5177 

18 

The new Diamond Hill Garden of Remembrance 

199 Po Kong Village Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon 

Tel: 2326 0012 

Kwai Chung Garden of Remembrance 

13 Wing Hau Street, Kwai Chung, N.T. 

Tel: 2614 4390 

Cheung Chau Garden of Remembrance 

Cheung Chau Peak Road West, 

Sai Wan, Cheung Chau 

Tel: 2981 5177 

Lamma Garden of Remembrance 

Lamma Island Columbarium 

Tel: 2981 5177 

n Memorial rituals may be performed at gardens of remembrance and the 

ashes may be scattered by the applicants themselves or by FEHD staff. 

n Upon completion of the scattering of ashes, a prescribed administration 

fee is chargeble for mounting a commemorative plaque. For details, 

please refer to the “List of Charges for Cemeteries and Crematoria 

Services”. 

n Only registered contractors may provide services like the supply and 

mounting of commemorative plaques at columbaria and gardens 

of remembrance. The list of registered contractors is available at the 

FEHD homepage: http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lrm.pdf 

Completion of Application Forms 

n Please complete the application form FEHB 219 which is available at 

the FEHD website: 

(http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/forms/index_forms.html); or 

n The Hong Kong and Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices 

(see Appendix 1) 

Application Procedures 

n Applicants may apply in person or through an 

authorised agent at one of the above Cemeteries 

and Crematoria Offices, together with the 

completed application form and the original 

copy of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated 

Ashes”. 

n The application form may be sent to one of the 

above Offices by fax or by post. Upon receipt 

of the form, FEHD will contact the applicant 

to arrange for return the original copy of the 

“Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” in 

person. 

n FEHD will normally grant approval for scattering cremated ashes at 

gardens of remembrance within seven working days after receiving the 

application. 

Scattering cremated ashes in the designated areas in Hong Kong waters 

or gardens of remembrance is environmentally friendly and puts 

resources to good use. Moreover, this meaningful practice is in line 

with the beliefs of “life regeneration” and “returning to nature”. 

19

4. Columbaria at Government Crematoria 

n When the construction of a new columbarium is completed, FEHD 

will invite public applications and will publish the details of allocation 

of niches in newspapers and on its homepage. Applicants’ priorities 

for selecting niches will be determined by FEHD according to the 

established procedures. In addition, there are used niches being vacated 

from time to time for re-allocation by FEHD to the public who are 

waiting for niches. The waiting time for allocation of used niches will be 

subject to the availability of such niches in the crematorium concerned. 

n Those who apply for allocation of used niches may go to the FEHD 

Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices bringing along a copy of the 

identity card of the deceased, the Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes 

or documentary proof of cremation (e.g. “Certificate of Cremation”). 

n There are two types of niches in a public columbarium: 

– the majority are “Standard Niches”, which can accommodate the 

cinerary urns of two close kins; and 

– a small quantity of “Large Niches” (family type), which can 

accommodate the cinerary urns of four close kins. 

n Applications for placing additional cinerary urns in allocated niches can 

be made any time. Applicants are only required to complete simple 

procedures at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices. Since 

the existing pubic niches, depending on their types, can accommodate 

cinerary urns of two to four persons with kinship, FEHD will encourage 

the public to make optimum use of existing public niches. 

5. Placing of Additional Cinerary Urns in Urn Graves at 

Government Cemeteries 

n Applications for placing additional cinerary urns in urn graves at 

government cemeteries can be made at the FEHD Cemeteries and 

Crematoria Offices. An urn grave can accommodate up to 3 urns or 

cinerary urns and the deceased whose ashes will be added must be a 

close kin of the deceased whose remains were already in the urn grave. 

20 

6. Import and Export of Cremated Ashes 

n According to the requirements in Hong Kong, no application is 

necessary for the importation or exportation of cremated ashes. In some 

countries, a Certificate of Cremation and relevant authorisation may be 

required for the importation of cremated ashes from Hong Kong. 

n If necessary, applicants may apply for the “Certificate of Cremation” 

at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. FEHD could only 

issue certification for the deceased who was cremated at a crematorium 

managed by the department. 

21

Exhumation of Remains 

1. Procedures for Exhumation of Remains 

(i) Burials at Public Cemeteries 

n According to the existing law, human remains buried in public 

cemeteries for up to six years have to be removed from graves. 

n An applicant should apply for the “Permit to Remove / Exhume 

Remains” at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. 

n An applicant should arrange through a registered mason 

the exhumation of the remains. The list of registered 

masons has been uploaded to the homepage of FEHD: 


n If the remains are not exhumed upon expiry of the time limit. FEHD 

will disinter the remains, cremate them, and re-inter the ashes in the 

Communal Grave at Sandy Ridge Cemetery. 

n Applicants, while having dealings of any kind with the FEHD, should 

not offer any advantage to the FEHD officers 

(ii) Burials at Private Cemeteries 

n An applicant should bring along the approval document for exhumation 

of remains issued by the respective cemetery and documentary proof 

of his / her relationship with the deceased to apply for the “Permit 

to Remove / Exhume Remains” and the “Authorization to Exhume 

Remains” at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. 

n If such proof is not available, the applicant is required to take an oath at 

the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. 

(iii) Burials at Places other than Public / Private Cemeteries 

n An applicant should bring along the following documents to apply for 

the “Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains” at the FEHD Cemeteries 

and Crematoria Office: 

22 

– the original and a copy of the “Death Certificate” of the deceased 

(if it is not available, an application for one must be made beforehand 

at the deaths registry of the Immigration Department); 

– two recent photos, one showing the distant view and the other the 

close view of the hillside grave with all the tombstone inscription 

clearly shown; 

– 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 FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office; 

– the original and a copy of the document permitting the burial issued 

by the cemetery concerned (in case the applicant wishes to have the 

exhumed remains re-buried in a private cemetery); and 

– the completed application form. 

2. Disposal of Exhumed Remains 

(i) Cremation 

n Application for cremation of exhumed remains may be made at the 

FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. 

n After completing the procedures, the applicant may arrange for the 

registered mason to exhume the remains at the cemetery. He / she 

may then bring the exhumed remains of the deceased, together with the 

relevant documents and receipt, to the Wo Hop Shek or Cheung Chau 

Crematorium Office to register for cremation. 

n After cremation, the applicant should collect the cremated ashes and 

the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”. Please refer to “Disposal 

of Cremated Ashes” on Page 14 for details of the disposal of cremated 

ashes. 

(ii) Re-burials at Private Cemeteries or the Government’s Wo Hop Shek 

Cemetery, Sandy Ridge Urn Cemetery or Public Cemeteries on the 

Outlying Islands 

n Application may be made at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria 

Office 

n If the remains of the deceased are already buried in an urn grave of a 

public cemetery, only application for relocation and re-burial at vacated 

urn grave will be considered by FEHD. 

23

n In respect of application for burial at the private lots of Wo Hop Shek 

Cemetery or Sandy Ridge Urn Cemetery, submission of certification 

documents from the relevant trade association or organisation is 

required. 

n Application for a new urn grave in FEHD’s Cheung Chau Cemetery, Tai 

O Cemetery or Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery at Mui Wo must be supported 

by a letter from the respective rural committee confirming the burial 

eligibility of the deceased if the deceased was not buried in any of these 

cemeteries. 

(iii) Additional Interment of Exhumed Remains or Cremated Ashes in an 

Urn Grave at a Public Cemetery 

n Application may be made at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria 

Office. 

3. Import and Export of Exhumed Remains 

(i) Export of Exhumed Remains 

n An applicant has to submit: 

– supporting documents indicating the final disposal method of the 

exhumed remains; 

– “Exhumation Permit”; and 

– “Certificate of Burial” and relevant authorisation 

Application for “Certificate of Burial” in respect of exhumed remains 

may be made at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office. 

(ii) Import of Exhumed Remains 

n An applicant has to submit: 

– supporting documents indicating the final disposal method of the 

exhumed remains; 

– Death Certificate and Export Permit issued by the Overseas Health 

Authority; and 

– valid health certificate in respect of exhumation. 

24 

Importing Human Remains into 

Hong Kong and Other Circumstances 

1. Importing Human Remains into Hong Kong 

n The applicant should first obtain the death certificate and the embalming 

certificate and complete the export procedures in the country concerned. 

(If the body of the deceased is to be transported out of the Mainland 

into Hong Kong, the applicant should go to the Mainland funeral 

parlour bringing along the Hong Kong Identity Card of the deceased to 

apply for an export permit.). 

n After permission has been obtained, the applicant can liaise with 

a funeral parlour or an undertaker in Hong Kong to arrange for the 

transportation and receipt of the dead body. The applicant should then 

inform the company which is responsible for importing the dead body 

into Hong Kong of the name of the funeral parlour. 

n If the dead body is to be transported to Hong Kong by sea or land, the 

applicant should, before the arrival of the dead body in Hong Kong, 

apply for a “Permit for Import of Human Corpse” from the Port Health 

Office Head Office. This can also be done by the funeral parlour staff 

in Hong Kong on behalf of the applicant. 

n If the dead body is to be transported to Hong Kong by air, upon 

arrival of the dead body in Hong Kong, the airline staff together with 

the bereaved of the deceased should apply for a “Permit for Import 

of Human Corpse” from the Port Health Office Airport Section 

(24-hour operation). This can also be done by the funeral parlour staff in 

Hong Kong or the airline staff on behalf of the applicant. 

n Upon arrival of the dead body in Hong Kong, the funeral parlour staff 

in Hong Kong should receive the dead body at the cargo terminal. 

25

2. To Have the Remains of the Deceased Buried in a 

Public or Private Cemetery for Less Than Six Years 

Exhumed, Cremated, Relocated to Another Cemetery 

or Exported out of Hong Kong 

n The applicant has to apply in person, together with a licensed undertaker 

(who should bring along the business chop), at the FEHD Cemeteries 

and Crematoria Office. Arrangement will be made by FEHD staff to 

monitor the transfer of coffin from the cemetery after the procedures are 

completed. 

(For burials of under one year, a Cremation Permit must first be obtained 

from the Port Health Office before the application is made to FEHD 

for transfer of coffin from the cemetery for cremation.) 

3. Claiming a Dead Body Buried by Government at 

Sandy Ridge Cemetery 

n The applicant should apply at the FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria 

Office. 

26 

Internet Memorial Service 

n FEHD has launched an internet memorial service in the second quarter 

of 2010. Public may upload texts, photos and videos onto the website 

“memorial.gov.hk” to mourn their lost loved ones. 

n Dedicated homepage for the internet memorial service: 

http://www.memorial.gov.hk 

n Family members and friends may create a memorial webpage for a 

deceased person, who had used any of the following services provided 

by FEHD: 

• he / she was cremated at a public crematorium 

• his / her cremated ashes were scattered in a garden of remembrance 

/ designated Hong Kong waters 

• his / her cremated ashes were kept in a niche at a public columbarium 

• he / she was buried at a public cemetery 

• he / she was buried at the Gallant Garden / Tribute Garden 

n Upon input of basic information (including the applicant’s email 

address and particulars of the deceased person), a memorial webpage 

for the deceased person will be created. Relatives and friends of the 

deceased person can choose the layout design, write the deceased’s life 

story, upload photos and videos, and set up various features for the 

memorial webpage. 

n By simply entering the name of the deceased person, members of the 

public can search, browse and leave message in uploaded memorial 

webpages that are set to be open to the public. 

n Mobile version and three demonstration videos were launched 

in “Internet Memorial Service” website on September 25, 2011. 

The public may use mobile device to access the mobile version at 

m.memorial.gov.hk to browse posted messages and profiles, photos 

and videos of the deceased. They may also leave message(s) and select 

pre-set photo(s) as e-offering(s). Memorial webpage owners may log 

in through the mobile version to manage the guestbook and other 

functional settings. 

27

Organ Donation 

n The community has become more widely receptive to the exemplary 

act of donating organs after death. There is no sex, age or race limit 

for organ donation. Have you ever thought of giving an extended 

lease of life to another person for your close relatives or good friends 

who unfortunately passed away so that patients urgently in need of 

organ transplants will gain a new lease of life at an early date? Donors 

can also spread their love among the living and rekindle the hopes 

of other people. Please visit the following homepage for details: 

http://www.organdonation.gov.hk 

n Prospective donors may register in the following ways: 

(i) register online after logging in the abovementioned homepage; or 

(ii) after completing the registration form in the organ donation promotional 

leaflet, send it: 

– by post to “CODR System Administrator, Department of Health, 

21/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 

Hong Kong”; or 

– by fax to 2127 4926 

Note: For those potential donors who prefer not to register in the Centralised Organ 

Donation Register (CODR), they may fill in the Organ Donation Card to 

express their wish to donate organs after death. They should, however, bear 

in mind that they should tell their family about their wishes and carry the 

completed Organ Donation Card at all times. 

28 

Support from the Government and 

Non-government Organisations 

1. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance 

(CSSA) 

n If a CSSA recipient has passed away, there will be a lump sum of burial 

grant with an upper limit provided by the Social Welfare Department 

(SWD) to the relatives concerned to cover the cost of the funeral 

(including the cremation charges). Please approach SWD for details 

(Hotline: 2343 2255). 

2. Death of the Breadwinner 

n The accidental or sudden death of a family member (in particular the 

breadwinner) will bring the whole family into hardship. Needy persons 

may turn to SWD for assistance (Hotline: 2343 2255). The family 

members of the deceased person may apply to the Estate Beneficiaries 

Support Unit of the Home Affairs Department for the release of money 

from the deceased person’s bank account in his sole name to meet 

his funeral expenses or for maintenance of his former dependant(s) 

(Hotline: 2835 1535). To obtain information on the full range of 

relevant government services, please call the Central Telephone Enquiry 

Centre of the Home Affairs Department (Tel: 2835 2500). 

3. Support Services Provided by Non-government 

Organisations (NGOs) 

n There are some NGOs in Hong Kong that provide services to enable 

those elders of moderate means to plan their funerals ahead of time 

and indicate the ritual preferred. Support on funeral matters and 

counselling are also provided by these NGOs to the bereaved families to 

help them bring closure to grief and adjust to a new life. Please refer to 

Appendix III for details of NGOs with these services. 

29

Appendix 

Appendix I: Contact Information of Relevant 

Government Departments 

(a)Deaths Registries of the Immigration Department 

The Births and Deaths General Register Office Tel: 2961 8841 

(Hong Kong Island Deaths Registry) 

18/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, 

Wan Chai, Hong Kong 


(Kowloon Deaths Registry) 

1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 

303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon 


3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 

66 Queensway, Hong Kong 

(This registry only handles death registration cases referred from the 

Coroner during weekdays and Saturdays. Normal registration service 

for deaths is available only on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 

a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) 

Note : Normal registration service for deaths is also available in police stations on 

outlying islands or in remote areas in the New Territories for deaths occurring 

in the respective districts. 

30 

(b)The joint office set up by the Food and Environmental 

Hygiene Department, the Immigration Department 

and the Department of Health 

Hong Kong Island Office Tel: 2961 8842 

18/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, 

Wan Chai, Hong Kong 

Kowloon Office Tel: 2150 7502 

1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 

303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon 

The cremation booking hours of the above joint office are as follows: 

Monday to Friday : 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Saturday : 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

(Closed on Sundays and public holidays) 

(c) Social Welfare Department 

Enquiry hotline Tel: 2343 2255 

(d) Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices of the Food and 

Environmental Hygiene Department 

Hong Kong Island Office Tel: 2570 4318 

1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley Fax: 2591 1879 

Kowloon Office Tel: 2365 5321 

Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Fax: 2176 4963 

Hung Hom 

31

Appendix II: Useful Websites 

Cemeteries and Crematoria of the Food and Environmental Hygiene 

Department 

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/index.html 

List of the Licensed Undertakers of Burials 

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lu.pdf 

List of the Registered Marble Manufacturers / Contractors Permitted 

to Provide Supply and Installation of Plaques Services in the 

Columbaria and the Gardens of Remembrance 

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/lrm.pdf 

List of the Registered Masons Permitted to Provide Burial, 

Exhumation of Skeletal Remains, and Installation of Headstones and 

Grave Coverings Services in the Public Cemeteries 


The Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries 

http://www.bmcpc.org.hk 

Internet Memorial Service 

http://www.memorial.gov.hk 

Organ Donation Information Provided by the Department of Health 

http://www.organdonation.gov.hk 

Estate Beneficiaries Support Services 

http://www.had.gov.hk/estates 

FEHD has no authorised funeral agents or undertakers. 

Reports and complaints can be made to the Department should there 

be similar claims. 

32 

Appendix III: List of Non-government 

Organisations Providing Funeral-related Services 

The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH) Tel: 2303 1234 

http://www.tungwah.org.hk 

St. James’ Settlement Tel: 2831 3230 

http://www.sjs.org.hk 

SKH Project of “the Paraclete-Care-And-Comfort Tel: 2362 0301 

Angel” of Holy Carpenter Church 

http://decc.holycarpenter.org.hk 

Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care Tel: 2868 1211 

http://www.hospicecare.org.hk 

Caritas Elderly Service Tel: 2729 1211 

http://www.caritasse.org.hk 

The Comfort Care Concern Group Tel: 2361 6606 

http://www.cccg.org.hk 

Society for Community Organisation Tel: 2713 9165 

http://www.soco.org.hk 

The Against Elderly Abuse of Hong Kong Tel: 8200 1711 

Tsim Sha Tsui P.O. Box 96772 

The International Funeral Parlour Tel: 2303 1234 

(Operated by TWGH) 

8 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon 

Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour Tel: 2326 0121 

(Operated by TWGH) 

181 Po Kong Village Road, Diamond Hill, 

Kowloon 

33

Appendix IV: Required Forms 

(a) Natural Death 

Cremation 

n Medical Certificate (Cremation) (Form 2) from the doctor who attended 

the deceased 

n Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (Form 18) from the doctor 

who attended the deceased 

n Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 12) from the Deaths Registry 

of the Immigration Department in the joint office 

n Cremation Permit (Form 3) from the Port Health Office of the 

Department of Health in the joint office 

n “Application for Private Cremation” – please come to the Cremation 

Booking Office of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 

in the joint office to complete an application form and pay the fee 

required for booking of a cremation session at a crematorium 

Burial 

n Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (Form 18) from the doctor 

who attended the deceased 

n Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 12) from the Deaths Registry 

of the Immigration Department in the joint office 

n Certificate of Registration of Death / Burial Permit (Form 10) from the 

Deaths Registry of the Immigration Department in the joint office 

(b) Death from Unnatural Causes (Cremation / Burial) 

n Certificate of Order Authorising Burial / Cremation of Body (Form 11) 

from the Coroner 

34 

(c) Death in a District without a Deaths Registry 

(e.g. Outlying Islands or Remote Areas in the New 

Territories) 

Cremation 

n “Permit for Removal and Burial of Dead Body” (Form 8) from the 

district police station 

n “Certificate of Registration of Death” (Form 12) from the Deaths 

Registry of the Immigration Department in the joint office 

n “Cremation Permit” (Form 3) from the Port Health Office of the 

Department of Health in the joint office 

n “Application for Private Cremation” – please come to the Cremation 

Booking Office of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 

in the joint office to complete an application form and pay the fee 

required for booking of a cremation session at a crematorium 

Burial 

n “Permit for Removal and Burial of Dead Body” (Form 8) from the 

district police station 

(d) Handling of Remains 

n “Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains” – obtain the permit at the 

Cemeteries and Crematoria Office of FEHD on Hong Kong Island or 

in Kowloon 

35

Appendix V: An Overview of Coffins 

Chinese Coffins: They are usually made of Phoebe zhennan wood, zelkova 

wood, China fir wood and synthetic wood. Their prices 

may vary greatly according to the wood type. 

Western Coffins: They are usually made of teak wood, oak wood or 

synthetic wood, but there are also bronze-made coffins. 

Coffins made of synthetic wood are mostly for cremation 

and are cheaper, whereas teak, oak and bronze coffins 

are mostly for burial. 

36 

Eco-coffins: Made of recycled paper, these coffins can carry a load of 

150 kg or more. The use of these coffins saves burning 

time and energy, reduces tree felling and emissions 

of pollutants during cremation. As in the case of 

traditional coffins, eco-coffins of different styles and 

prices are available for selection. 

European style 

The coffin is in diamond or olivary shape with a 

flat cover on the top and decoration 

handles on both sides. 

Japanese style 

The coffin is in rectangular shape with a half 

opening cover. It is usually in a dark colour with 

decoration handles on both sides, giving a 

sense of simplicity and solemnity. 

37 

American style 

The coffin is in rectangular shape with a flat 

cover on the top and decoration handles on 

both sides. The design is simple but it 

gives a sense of solemnity. 

Chinese style 

The surface of the coffin has natural 

wood patterns. It adopts a strong traditional 

Chinese style in appearance.

n 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). Undertakers in general will offer a package price to provide 

one-stop supporting services and the price will include the costs of coffin 

and renting service hall. It is advisable for the public to pay attention to 

the various charges during selection for comparison. 

Other Points to Note 

n 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. 

n 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 into the coffin. 

n Metal or plastic ornaments fixed to the external surface of the coffin 

must be removed and disposed of before arrival at the crematorium. 

The Advantages of Using Eco-coffins 

n The use of eco-coffins can reduce tree felling, save burning time and 

energy and reduce emissions of pollutants during cremation. 

38

1. Adult cremation 

2. Child cremation 

3. Cremation of skeletal remains 

4. Certicate of Cremation 

5. Temporary storage of ashes after the rst 

two months following cremation (each 

month) # 

6. Permit for placing each memorial plaque 

7. Standard niche and permit to place a 

memorial plaque 

8. Large niche and permit to place a memorial 

plaque 

9. Adult burial 

10. Child burial 

11. Urn grave (burial of skeletal remains) 

12. Certicate of Burial 

13. Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains 

14. Replacement of Permit to Remove/Exhume 

Remains 

15. Ocial signature fee 

Service Item 

$1,220 

$650 

$90 

$140 

$80 

$90 

Niche : $2,800 

Plaque: $90 

Niche : $3,600 

Plaque: $90 

$3,190 

$2,605 

$6,305 

$140 

$120 

$140 

$140 

# To facilitate the public to make related ceremonial or other arrangements, FEHD allows relatives of the 

deceased not to collect cremains immediately after cremation. Since temporary storage in government 

facilities is a transitional arrangement, no paying of tribute can be arranged during the storage period. 

* is list of charges will be revised as necessary. For the latest version, please refer to the homepage of the 

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: http://www.fehd.hksarg/english/cc/info_charge.html 

19 July 2013 

List of Charges for Cemeteries and 

Crematoria Services 

Charge

A Guide to After-Death Arrangements

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