The date of open drawing of lots and computer balloting will be announced in due course after close of application period.  The public will be welcome and the representatives of the ICAC and the Home Affairs Department will be invited to witness the process.

The cremated ashes of the following persons are eligible for the application for a niche in the columbaria of FEHD.

1. a person who was a resident of Hong Kong at the time of his/her death and whose remains were cremated in a government crematorium within three months after his/her death#; or
2. a person who was a resident of Hong Kong for a period of at least ten years during the period of twenty years immediately preceding his/her death and whose remains were cremated in a crematorium outside Hong Kong (Relevant documentary proof are required) #; or
3. a person whose remains were lawfully exhumed and cremated in a government crematorium.

* A copy of the relevant documents must be submitted with the application and the originals should be produced for inspection at the time of allocation.

Can a niche in Tsang Tsui Columbarium or Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium be applied for deceased persons whose ashes have already been deposited in other public niches or private niches?

All niches of FEHD allocated from 26 April 2019 onwards will be extendable niches after Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2019 (Cap. 132CJ) came into operation on that day.

Under the new arrangement, FEHD ceases to receive applications for reused public niches and freezes the existing waiting list for reused niches.  The applicants in the waiting list could still wait for the reused niches and also apply for the new public niches.  Only if allocated with new public niches, FEHD will remove the applicant from the waiting list.

Applicant who holds a “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” or “Certificate of Cremation” of the deceased issued by FEHD may fill in the online application form, upload the required documents in pdf or jpeg format and submit the application online at FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk).

Applicant can also download the application form from FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk), or obtain the application form in person from the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria office, the District Environmental Hygiene Offices of FEHD, the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, or the Post Offices at Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Tai O.  The application form can also be obtained by fax via hotline 2841 9111. 

During the application period, applicant may submit the completed application form together with copies of the required documents through the following means:

• Put into the drop-in box at the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria office during office hours; or
• Post to the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria office; or
• Email : apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk; or
• Fax : 2333 1716

Applications which are not supported with all necessary documents or information, or late or duplicated submission will not be accepted

How to fill in the application form? What should be noted when applying for a niche in Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium?

Applicant must complete Sections A, B and C of the application form and sign on Section C and then submit the completed form together with copies of all required documents.

Applications for standard and large niches will be handled separately. The applicant should only file one application to apply for either a standard niche or a large niche for the same deceased person.

For application for a standard niche, applicant has to fill in at least one deceased person's particulars in the application form. As for a large niche, applicant has to fill in at least three deceased persons’ particulars in the application form. The other deceased person(s) listed in the application form shall be a close relative of the first deposited deceased. (Close relative means the spouse, parent, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a direct descendant of either the male or female line.  FEHD will also consider the application if they are of close relationship.

The applicant has to select either a standard or a large niche in Section A of the application form. If the applicant opts for a standard niche, he/she should choose only one of the following 7 items. Please note that the quantity of niches differs in each item and hence has direct influence on the chance of successful allocation, the higher the quantity of niches, the greater the chance of successful allocation will relatively be.

1. Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 855; or
2. Tsang Tsui Columbarium smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 7,080; or
3. Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium or Tsang Tsui Columbarium smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 7,935; or
4. Tsang Tsui Columbarium non-smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 13,080; or

5. Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium smoke-free standard niche or Tsang Tsui Columbarium non-smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 13,935; or

6. Tsang Tsui Columbarium smoke-free or non- smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 20,160; or
7. Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium smoke-free standard niche or Tsang Tsui Columbarium smoke-free or non-smoke-free standard niche, available niche: 21,015.

Applicant must read the “Declaration by Applicant” in Section C of the application form carefully to indicate thorough understanding of the details before signing and submitting the application with copies of all required documents.

Change of the deceased's particulars is not allowed once the application has been acknowledged by FEHD.  Applications not supported with all necessary documents or information, or late or duplicated submission will not be accepted.

What supporting documents should be submitted with the application form?

Applicant should submit the application form together with the following documents:

• Copy of the applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card
• Copy of each deceased person's Hong Kong Identity Card or other documentary proof of the deceased's Hong Kong resident status
• Copy of “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [This is not applicable to those ashes still being kept in Government crematoria] or “Certificate of Cremation” or “Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains” of each deceased person
• For depositing the ashes of more than one deceased person in the same niche, copy of documentary proof of close relative or close relationship between the first deposited deceased and the other deceased person(s) listed in the application form is required. “Close relative” means the spouse, parent, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a direct descendant of either the male or female line.

For online application, applicant must upload copies of the required documents in pdf or jpeg format together with the online application form.

If the Hong Kong identity card of the deceased person had been lost or returned to the Immigration Department, how can the application form be submitted?

A copy of the Hong Kong Identity Card for each deceased person or a document to prove that the deceased person was a Hong Kong resident (for example a document indicating the name of the deceased person and his/her Hong Kong Identity Card number, such as Home Visit Permit, Certificate of Exemption, Passport/Travel Document, the Housing Department or the Housing Society's household permit, the driving licence issued by the Transport Department, the Hospital Authority's follow-up card/medical record card, etc.). In case all relevant documents have been lost, the applicant may apply for a "Certificate of Registered Particulars" ("CRP") as proof of Hong Kong resident status from the Immigration Department. If the applicant is unable to submit a copy of the CRP during the application period, the applicant can submit the application form with remarks that the CRP for the deceased person is being applied from the Immigration Department attached with a copy of the"Notice for Collection of Certificate of Registered Particulars". A copy of the CRP must be submitted immediately upon issuance by the Immigration Department. However, it must be submitted one month before the date of the drawing of lots and computer balloting.

If an application is submitted with a copy of “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains”, the applicant must produce the original of the “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” or “Temporary Skeleton Cremation Certificate” during allocation of niche. Otherwise he/she should produce the original of a valid “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains”  and fill in an undertaking to complete cremation within 3 months, and submit all the required documents to FEHD in order to complete the formalities.

If the said exhumation of remains has not been carried out within the said period, the applicant must return the allocated niche to FEHD for re-allocation. The relevant fees paid will not be refunded.

After the application form and supporting documents have passed the preliminary check, FEHD will issue an acknowledgement receipt together with an application number to the applicant by post, fax or email (depending on the submission means of the application). Applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement receipt ten calendar days after submitting the application can call hotline 2841 9111 for enquiries.

The priority of allocation of all eligible applicants and the designated niche for successful applicants are determined by the open drawing of lots and computer balloting. Successful applicants must complete the niche allocation formalities and pay the prescribed fees at the Public Niche Allocation Office (next to the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office) at the scheduled date and time. If there are any unallocated niches abandoned by successful applicants, the remaining applicants who are not allocated a niche will be invited to allocate the remaining niches according to their priorities after further matching.  Any niches not yet allocated after the second round of allocation or the pre-set end date of allocation period (whichever is the earlier) will be carried forward to next allocation phase as appropriate.

The ballot result will be posted up at Hong Kong and Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office and Public Niche Allocation Office and uploaded on FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk), Applicant may also enquire about the result at hotline 2841 9111 through Interactive Voice Response System.

After the application form and supporting documents have passed the preliminary check, FEHD will issue an acknowledgement receipt together with an application number to the applicant by post, fax or email (depending on the means of submission of the application). If the applicant does not receive an acknowledgement receipt in 10 calendar days after submitting the application, he / she may call the hotline 2841 9111 for enquiries.

Applicants may also obtain their application status, including the amount and serial number(s) of ballot paper(s) obtained through Interactive Voice Response System via the above hotline or FEHD website(www.fehd.gov.hk).

After the drawing of lots and computer balloting, successful applicants will be notified of their allocation priorities and the designated niche allocated by SMS or e-mail. Successful applicants will be informed in writing of their assigned niches and their appointed date and time for completion of allocation formalities according to their priorities thereafter.

Applicants may also check the ballot result on FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk), at Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, Public Niche Allocation Office and enquiry hotline 2841 9111 through Interactive Voice Response System the next day after drawing of lots and computer balloting.

To look after those who failed in the last allocation exercise (i.e. applications that had not been invited for allocation) and to encourage co-location of ashes, these two categories of applications (i.e. those failed in the last niche allocation exercise for Kiu Tau Road Columbarium completed in March 2016 [but does not include the case where an applicant was invited for allocation but eventually gave up on his/her own accord] or opt for co-location of ashes), if satisfying the criteria for the respective category will be given an additional “ballot paper” under that category to enhance the chance of successful balloting. (However, only one additional “ballot paper” at most will be issued to each of the above two categories in one application.)

An application number will be allotted to each application. After verifying the information provided by the applicant, FEHD will determine the application group and the number of “ballot paper” to be issued.

Can successful applicants choose the niche by themselves at time of completing the allocation formalities?

A new niche allocation arrangement will be adopted for extendable niches. Irrespective of their level and orientation on a niche wall, all niches will be allocated to successful applicants by drawing of lots and computer balloting and each successful applicant will be assigned a designated niche rather than self-chosen.

The applicant was allowed to choose a public niche in the previous niche allocation. Why it is changed?

New columbarium projects will be completed one after another. We expect that the number of niches to be allocated each year will be at least 20 000 in the next 10 years. Since the niche allocation will become a routine task, and the quantity of niches to be allocated each year and the amount of work involved are huge, we must allocate the niches in a fair, transparent and efficient manner.  For eligible applications, we would allocate the niches to the applicants by means of drawing of lots and computer balloting. This allocation means has also been recognized by the ICAC.  We estimate that we can handle about 400 allocations per day by this allocation means as compared with at most about 160 allocations in the past, allowing the successful applicants to select niches by themselves, that is, 2.5 times more.

If the successful applicants do not take up the designated niche, will they have an additional “ballot paper” when they submit application in the next allocation exercise?

If the successful applicant decides not to take up the assigned niche or does not show up to complete the niche allocation formalities or does not pay the prescribed fees at the appointed date and time, the applicant will be regarded as having given up the assigned niche and the application will be considered to have been processed. Under the circumstances, the applicant will not be issued with an additional “ballot paper” if he submits an application in the next niche allocation exercise.  Only those applications which were not invited for allocation of a niche for the relevant deceased in their last application for public niche will be issued with an additional "ballot paper".

Can applicants visit Tsang Tsui Columbarium or Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium to see the location of the assigned niches? If not, how can the applicants know the location of the assigned niches?

Applicants may visit the columbarium after FEHD announces the date of commissioning of the relevant columbarium. Applicants may also enter the serial number of the assigned niche in the niche location enquiry system on FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) to check the orientation and location of the niche.

How to complete the allocation formalities and what documents must be brought by the successful applicants?

After the drawing of lots and computer balloting, successful applicants will be informed by letters of their assigned niches and the appointed date and time for completion of allocation formalities according to their priorities.

The whole niche allocation process consists of four parts: checking of the originals of the required documents, verifying the eligibility for application, allocation of niche and collection of payment of relevant fees.

The successful applicant must bring along the invitation letter and the following documents to the Public Niche Allocation Office at the appointed date and time as stated in the invitation letter in person or fill in the authorisation form to authorise another person to complete the allocation formalities:

• Original copy of the applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card. If the applicant authorizes another person to handle the allocation, the authorized person has to bring along a copy of the applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card and authorization letter
• Original copy of each deceased person's Hong Kong Identity Card or other documentary proof of the deceased's Hong Kong resident status
• Original copy of “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” [This is not applicable to those ashes still being kept in Government crematoria] or “Certificate of Cremation” of each deceased person.  If the application is submitted with a copy of the “Permit to Remove/Exhume Remains”, the applicant must produce the original “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” or “Temporary Skeleton Cremation Certificate” on the day of niche allocation. In case of failure to produce the original of the abovementioned document due to unavailability of cremation sessions, the applicant should produce the original copy of a valid “Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains” and fill in an undertaking to complete the cremation within 3 months and submit the relevant documents.
• For depositing the ashes of more than one deceased person in the same niche, the original copy of documentary proof of close relative or close relationship between the first deposited deceased and the other deceased person(s) listed in the application form. “Close relative” means the spouse, parent, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a direct descendant of either the male or female line.

After verification of relevant documents, the applicant will have to pay the relevant fees.  To expedite the niche allocation process, payment by cash is not accepted.  Applicant may settle the payment by EPS, cheque or cashier order at the niche allocation counter and there is no need to wait for payment at the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office around the corner. The cheque and cashier order must be made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” and the cheque must be crossed.

The fees for an extendable standard niche for the initial 20-year interment period and permission for placing a memorial plaque in Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium are HK$2,400 and $90 respectively. Whereas the fees for an extendable large niche for the initial 20-year interment period and permission for placing a memorial plaque in Tsang Tsui Columbarium are HK$3,000 and $90 respectively. Thereafter, the administration fee for placing each additional set of ashes in a niche is HK$140.

All extendable niches will be allocated with an initial interment period of 20 years, after which the interment may be extended every 10 years on payment of a prevailing prescribed fee, i.e. equivalent to half of the fee for 20-year interment period prevailing at that time.

If there is co-location of a new set of ashes during the interment period, the related persons may opt for a fresh interment period of 20 years counting from the co-location date, which may be extended at 10-year intervals thereafter or opt to maintain the original interment period under the status quo.  If a fresh interment period of 20 years counting from the co-location date is chosen, fee payable for the extended period (i.e. 20 years minus the unused period of the original interment) will be calculated in accordance with the prevailing prescribed fee per year times the extended period. Fee for the extended period will be charged on a whole year basis. Extended period of less than a whole year will not be counted.

When should applicants deposit the ashes after completion of the niche allocation formalities?

The ashes must be deposited in the allocated niche within three months from the date of successful allocation or from the date when the columbarium concerned is announced ready for use, whichever is the later.

Are there any special traffic arrangements for the public to visit Tsang Tsui Columbarium due to its remote location?

During the Ching Ming Festival and the Chung Yeung Festival periods, the Government plans to provide by stages three special bus routes to and from (i) Tuen Mun MTR Station PTI (near V City); (ii) Tuen Mun Road Bus–bus Interchange; and (iii) Tsing Yi MTR Station and Tsang Tsui Columbarium. Considering that the niches of Tsang Tsui Columbarium will be allocated by phases, we plan to provide the special shuttle bus service to and from the Tuen Mun MTR Station PTI and Tsang Tsui Columbarium during the grave sweeping periods from 2020 first.  The use of the shuttle bus route will be closely monitored and the service will be strengthened as appropriate. Besides, special traffic control measures will be implemented on the roads near the Tsang Tsui Columbarium.  Private cars and taxis will be prohibited from entering the area on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in the four weeks before and after the Ching Ming Festival and the Chung Yeung Festival.

If the private columbarium is closed and the deceased persons' ashes are required to be removed, will FEHD provide assistance to these applicants who apply for the public niches in Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium?

After the Private Columbaria Ordinance took effect on 30 June 2017, any person who needs to get back the deceased person's ashes due to the cessation of the private columbaria may submit an application for a public niche if the deceased person meets the eligibility criteria for applying for a niche under FEHD and can provide the documents to prove the identity and cremation of ashes of the deceased person, that is the original and copy of “Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes” or “Certificate of Cremation”.  If the deceased person was cremated overseas, the applicant is required to provide the original cremation document issued by overseas lawful crematorium. FEHD will handle all applications fairly and impartially in accordance with the laws and laid down procedures.

If the deceased fails to meet the eligibility criteria or the applicant fails to provide the required documents due to the cremation was conducted very long time ago or other reasons, how will FEHD handle the application?

If the applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria or provide the required documents due to the cremation of the deceased person conducted very long time ago rendering the applicant unable to provide the concerned cremation documents, FEHD will make its best effort to provide assistance on the basis of pragmatic and compassionate principles. However, it is also necessary to strike an appropriate and reasonable balance among the interests of different stakeholders to ensure that public resources are optimally utilized and allocated in a fair manner. Based on these considerations, FEHD will consider exercising discretion as appropriate for cases of additional deposit of ashes, use of temporary storage facilities for ashes or green burial services.

If there is no document to prove the deceased person's Hong Kong resident status, will the applications for funeral services still be considered?

For the application of additional deposit of ashes in public niches, temporary storage services for cremated ashes or green burial services, FEHD will consider the special circumstances of each individual application in a pragmatic and compassionate manner while ensuring the public resources can be optimally utilized and allocated in a fair manner.

What is the difference between the extendable public niches and the previously allocated public niches?

All niches under FEHD allocated before the “Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2019” came into operation on 26 April, 2019 are permanent niches without time limit.  However, niches under FEHD allocated after commencement of the above Regulation are extendable niches with an initial interment period of 20 years, after which the interment period can be extended every 10 years on payment of a prevailing prescribed fee. The use of the allocated niches may be continued as long as the related persons (i.e. the niche allocatee or nominated representative(s)) confirm the continued use by extending the interment period following the 20 or 10-year schedule and on payment of a prevailing prescribed fee. Besides, all extendable niches, irrespective of their level and orientation on a niche wall, will be allocated to successful applicants by drawing of lots and computer balloting rather than self-chosen.

Will the extendable arrangement have any influence on the niches provided by private cemeteries?

Private cemeteries are managed by their operators. In other words, they may determine the means of niche allocation and interment period of the niches under their charge. Although FEHD is the regulatory authority of private cemeteries under “Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132” and “Private Cemeteries Regulation, Cap. 132BF”, the “Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2019” is applicable to the public niches provided by FEHD only and niches in private cemeteries are not affected.

Will those public niches which have been allocated before the “Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2019” came into operation be affected by the extendable niche arrangements?

The permanent interment status of all niches under FEHD which have been allocated before the “Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2019” came into operation on 26 April 2019 will not be affected by the extendable niche arrangements, neither for the addition of ashes in these public niches.

What can be done if the niche allocatee is unable to continue performing the responsibilities as a niche allocatee (e.g. death, emigration or other reason)?

If the niche allocatee cannot continue to perform his/her responsibilities for some reasons, the allocatee or nominated representatives may submit valid supporting documents (such as a Certificate of Registration of Death, a proof of emigration from lawyer, etc.) to FEHD for change of nomination and update of information after verification.

The public niches involve the use of precious land and public resources and FEHD has all along been allocating public niches on the basis of fairness, openness and impartiality. After considering various factors, including the use of public resources, the overall supply and demand of public niches, as well as balancing the interests of all stakeholders in the community, FEHD considers it appropriate to maintain the existing eligibility criteria and document requirements for the application of public niches. In other words, if the deceased person meets all the criteria and can provide the required documents, the applicant may apply for a public niche for the deceased.

How does FEHD deal with the ashes in extendable niche if no application for extension is made after expiry of the interment period?

A grace period of 2 years from the expiry date of the interment period would be allowed for the related persons to contact FEHD to apply for extension.  If the related persons do not apply for extension in the grace period (straddling 2 cycles of Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals), FEHD would initiate actions to remove the ashes (together with its container) and other related items, if any, therein from the niche and dispose of the ashes by green burial service according to the choice made by the allocatee in the application form. If the allocatee has not made such choice, the ashes would be disposed of in a manner that the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene considers fit. The niche will then be vacated for re-allocation.  FEHD will properly document the means and location of the final disposal of the removed ashes for reference of any descendants showing up and enquiring about the ashes in future.

Whether the interment period is 20 years counting from the date of depositing the ashes?

The interment period will be counted from the date when applicant has completed the allocation formalities and paid the prescribed fees. If the concerned columbarium has not been ready for commissioning at time of processing allocation, the interment period will be counted from the date when the columbarium is available for use as announced by FEHD.

With respect to the new niche allocation arrangements, how does the authority handle those applications on the waiting list for reused niche?

Some niches may be returned to FEHD for various reasons and are reallocated to new applicants. Before the implementation of extendable niche arrangements on 26.4.2019, the returned niches will be reassigned to applicants on the waiting list of the relevant columbarium on a first-come-first-served basis. Thereafter, in order to comply with the principles of fairness, justice and the public interest, extendable niche allocation arrangements will apply to both new niches and reused niches. The waiting list for reused niches has already been frozen on 26.4.2019 until all applicants are invited for allocation of reused niche. Thereafter, the public niches returned by the public to FEHD will be allocated to the applicant by drawing of lots and computer balloting together with the new niches.

How does FEHD remind applicants to apply for extension of interment period and update contact information?

Upon consent of the niche allocatee and provision of an email address, FEHD will create a dedicated webpage for the deceased in the Internet Memorial Service (IMS) website free of charge. The memorial webpage of the deceased in IMS will display the expiry date of the interment period on the front page and provide a dedicated link to facilitate the related persons to update the contact list or their contact information. FEHD would also approach the related persons by SMS, email or other appropriate means to remind them to update the contact details every five years.

In addition, in the four years period from two years before the expiry date until the end of two years grace period after the expiry date, FEHD will contact the related persons through SMS, e-mail or other appropriate means to ascertain if they would extend the interment period. This process will be repeated every 6 months. In this four-year period, FEHD will also display a pop-up message on the memorial webpage of the deceased in IMS. Upon expiry of the interment period, FEHD will make additional efforts to contact the related persons, such as through issuing letters to their last known address, publishing notices in the Government Gazette, newspapers and FEHD website, and posting notices on relevant niche walls.

Where is the Public Niche Allocation Office for processing niche allocation of Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium? What are its opening hours and enquiry hotline?

The Public Niche Allocation Office is located at:

Upper Ground Floor, Block B, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon (situated at side of the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office).

Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m , Monday to Friday,
It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Enquiry Hotline：2841 9111
Fax No.：2333 1716