We hope you didn’t bury any relatives in Hong Kong in 2008. If you did, they may be about to be dug up.
The Hong Kong government today announced that it is to remove and dispose of human remains buried in six public cemeteries in 2008.
Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has the right to remove bodies from public cemeteries after a period of six years. What a nice job.
The rule is an attempt to free up public burial space, which is in high demand in Hong Kong.
The six cemeteries in question include the coffin sections of Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery on Lantau, Wo Hop Shek Cemetery, Cheung Chau Cemetery, Tai O Cemetery and the “T” section and Government Section of Sandy Ridge Urn Cemetery in Lo Wu.
The remains exhumed will be cremated at the government crematorium and burred at Sandy Ridge Urn Cemetery… or another cemetery… depending on where they can find room.
If you’re in the horrible situation of having a deceased relative in this horrible situation, you can arrange for private exhumation of their remains by calling (+852) 2364-5399 or attending the Crematoria Office (Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon) on or before July 31.
Photo: Rob Young
