Offer referrals for private ashes resettlement

Currently, the application for government niches is mainly provided by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), and the application qualifications for niches are as follows:

1. The deceased was a Hong Kong resident at the time of death and was cremated in a government crematorium within 3 months after death.
2. If the deceased's remains are cremated in a government crematorium, the remains are considered to be legally exhumed and can apply for a public niche.
3. If the remains are not cremated in Hong Kong, then within 20 years of the deceased's passing, a minimum of 10 years of being a Hong Kong resident is required to be eligible for application
   
   

If the above 3 application conditions are met, the applicant will proceed to the next step: niche draw. Due to Hong Kong's aging population and the increasing demand for niches, the number of niches is very insufficient. Therefore, even if the applicant meets the application qualifications, the chance of obtaining a niche is not high.

However, in 2013, the government announced the regulation of private columbariums, dividing the existing private columbariums into two categories: Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. Schedule 1 refers to columbariums that comply with the lease and planning regulations and do not illegally occupy government land; Schedule 2 refers to columbariums with illegal situations.

In 2017, the Private Columbarium Ordinance was officially enacted and came into effect on June 30, 2017. Private columbariums must obtain a license before they can sell or lease new niches.

Private columbarium niches are another option for citizens. The application qualifications are not restricted, and the waiting time is shorter than that of government columbarium niches. The geographical locations are also usually located in more convenient places. However, the prices of the niches are higher.

Citizens can also visit the list of licensed columbariums - Register of Private Columbaria (https://www.fehd.gov.hk/pclb/tc_chi/list_pc_registration_part1.php)

Wing Fook Funeral also provides private columbarium niche referral services. For details, please consult our staff.