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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) Bun Ha Tung Association;
(ii) Sha Loa Ching Tse;
(iii) Ksitigarbha Hall;
(iv) Saint Temple (Hau Shi Tong);
(v) Saint Temple (Hau Shi Tso Tong);
(vi) Fat Yuen Ching Shea; and
(vii) Che Wan Seen Yuen [Covering only niches already sold before 30 June 2017].

For details, please click here.

The Private Columbaria (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was gazetted
and came into force on 30 May 2025.
For details, please click here.

In accordance with Section 14A of the Private Columbaria Ordinance, the Private Columbaria Licensing Board had specified the period from 1 September 2025 to 30 November 2025 as the time limit for eligible “pre-cut-off columbaria” to make new applications for exemption. By the end of 30 November 2025, the Private Columbaria Licensing Board received applications for exemption from 23“pre-cut-off columbaria”. 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.