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The Private Columbaria Licensing Board has recently announced its decision on the extension of the validity period of the “approval-in-principle” for the Temporary Suspension of Liability application in respect of the following columbaria:

(i) Yan Hau Ancestral Hall;
(ii) 慈航淨院海會塔 (No known English name);
(iii) Memorial Park Hong Kong;
(iv) Cheung Ha Ching Shea;
(v) 寶龍堂 (No known English name); and
(vi) Buddhist Wai Chuen Monastery.

For details, please click here。

The Private Columbaria Licensing Board has recently announced its decision on approval-in-principle for the application for Exemption in respect of Po Lam Po Tung Pagoda. For details, please click here。

The Private Columbaria (Amendment) Bill 2024 was published in the Gazette on 6 December 2024, proposing amendments that aim to enhance the current regulatory regime on private columbaria and strengthen protection of consumers' interests.
For details, please click here。

Establishment of Licensing Scheme

The Private Columbaria Ordinance has come into effect. A licensing scheme for private columbaria is in place with the following objectives:

ensuring that private columbaria are in compliance with statutory and government requirements；
enhancing protection of consumer interests； and
ensuring that the industry adopts a sustainable mode of operation.

Licensing Requirements

A licence, an exemption or a temporary suspension of liability (TSOL) must be obtained for operating a columbarium.
A private columbarium must obtain a licence before it sells or newly lets out niches.

Grace Period

The Government has established the Private Columbaria Licensing Board (The Licensing Board). The Licensing Board has promulgated the Application Guide and Application Forms.
The Licensing Board has started receiving applications from columbaria.
There is a grace period under the Private Columbaria Ordinance.
For details of the grace period arrangement, please click here.