Scattering of Cremated Human Ashes in Hong Kong Waters
Handling of Ashes
In addition to keeping cremated human ashes in private or government columbarium, or scattering them in Gardens of Remembrance of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), etc., members of the public may, subject to the approval of the FEHD, scatter cremated human ashes in Hong Kong waters.
Streamlined Procedures
(1)
The completed application form should be submitted at least 10 days before the proposed date for the scattering of cremated human ashes to any one of the following offices of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Section, FEHD.
Application forms can be obtained from the above offices of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Section or downloaded from the website of FEHD (http://www.fehd.gov.hk).
(3)
For an application to scatter cremated human ashes within one of the Designated Areas listed in paragraph (6), approval will be granted normally within 5 working days from the date of receipt of a duly completed application. FEHD does not charge any fee for processing of the application.
(4)
The original of the "Permit to take away cremated ashes" shall be returned to FEHD before formal approval is granted.
(5)
If after approval, the approved person needs to change the date and/or time of the scattering of cremated human ashes due to special circumstances, he/she should inform FEHD at once by phone, fax or email according to the above contact information for re-processing the granting of approval.
(6)
The Designated Areas for the scattering of cremated human ashes at sea are as follows :
Designated Area No. 1
Designated Area No. 2
Designated Area No. 3
East of Tap Mun
East of
Tung Lung Chau
South of West Lamma Channel
(1)
22-30.83N 114-24.1E
22-15.38N 114-18.7E
22-10.50N 114-01.0E
(2)
22-30.83N 114-27.0E
22-15.38N 114-20.1E
22-10.50N 114-06.0E
(3)
22-29.36N 114-27.0E
22-14.18N 114-20.1E
22-09.00N 114-06.0E
(4)
22-29.36N 114-24.1E
22-14.18N 114-18.7E
22-09.00N 114-01.0E
(7)
The applicant must comply with the following conditions for scattering of cremated human ashes at sea :
i.
The scattering of cremated human ashes shall only take place at the approved time, on the approved date and within the approved Designated Area, unless the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has given written approval to do otherwise.
ii.
No food, ritual offerings or any other object shall be thrown into the sea except the cremated ashes of the deceased and a handful Note of natural flower petals as approved.
iii.
The approved person or his/her authorized person shall observe all other pertinent ordinances or regulations of Hong Kong when scattering cremated human ashes into the sea.
iv.
The ceremony for the scattering of cremated human ashes on board of a vessel shall be conducted only by the approved person or his/her authorized person.
v.
In case other vessels, for example fishing vessels, are present within the approved Designated Area, the scattering of cremated human ashes should be conducted away from the vessels.
vi.
In case dolphins are present within the approved Designated Area, the scattering of cremated human ashes should be conducted after all dolphins have left.
Note:
For reference of the approved person or his/her authorised person, the amount of flower petals that a 250ml container can contain may be considered in compliance with Condition ii above.
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