Handling of Ashes

Apart from the option of keeping cremated ashes in private or public columbaria, members of the public may also choose to scatter the ashes in the following 13 Gardens of Remembrance in 9 public columbaria managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

Application Procedures and Fees

Applicants, who must be the holder of the "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes" or the person authorised in writing by the holder of the "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes", should submit in person the completed application form , the original copy of "Permit To Take Away Cremated Ashes"^ [This is not applicable to those ashes still being kept in government crematoria.] and a copy of the Hong Kong Identity Card of the deceased, at least 14 days prior to the proposed date for scattering the cremated ashes, to the Cemeteries and Crematoria office of FEHD in Hung Hom or Happy Valley and make a declaration that he/she will be responsible for any liability or related matter arising from the ashes scattering. On top of the above, if the applicant is not the holder of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes”, he/she should also bring along the original written authorization signed by the Permit Holder and a copy of the Permit Holder's identification document for verification. For application of scattering of cremated ashes at the Gardens of Remembrance on outlying islands, the original and a copy of letter from the relevant islands rural committee and a statutory declaration made by the legal representative or next of kin of the deceased person are required to certify and declare the deceased was an indigenous villager of the Islands District, or a bona fide resident of Island District for a "continuous residing period" of not less than 7 years or their minor children (10 years for Cheung Chau). For application made by fax, post or e-form, FEHD will arrange with the applicant for submission of the original copy of supporting document(s) for verification.

^If the deceased was cremated outside Hong Kong, the applicant shall be a close relative of the deceased and submit the original of the proof of cremation issued by the relevant lawful crematorium.

*“Continuous residing period” means the period that the deceased continuously resided on the island concerned right before his/her death.

Application form can be downloaded from the FEHD website (http://www.fehd.gov.hk).

Upon approval by FEHD, the applicant may arrange to scatter the cremated ashes of the deceased in the Garden of Remembrance free of charge.

Application for Mounting of Commemorative Plaque

The applicant may also mount a commemorative plaque for the eligible deceased on the dedicated wall of that Garden of Remembrance where the cremated ashes of the deceased are scattered to commemorate the deceased after paying the required administration fee. FEHD allows applicant to display photo of the deceased on the commemorative plaque.

The commemorative plaque shall be made of "Travertino" marble or a marble of the same colour tone. At present, the designated size of the commemorative plaque to be installed in all Gardens of Remembrance is 150mm (width) x 55mm (height). The serial number (e.g. A028) assigned by FEHD for each plaque space may be required to be etched into the lower right corner of the plaque according to the requirements of the respective venue.  Every word shall be clear and distinct.

Offices of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Section

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