Latest news with #JacquelineHo
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to release more than 16,000 new columbarium niches
Hong Kong authorities will release 16,150 new public columbarium niches from Monday, with 6,050 located in a smoke-free facility where the burning of joss sticks and incense offerings will be prohibited on its grounds. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department made the announcement on Wednesday, encouraging residents to apply online for random computer balloting that will take place in the third quarter of the year, with the results to be released on the same day. 'I must emphasise that the Shek Mun Columbarium is completely smoke-free and the place will not be equipped with joss stick burning and incense offering fixtures,' Jacqueline Ho Yuen-man, an assistant director of the department, said. 'This was in response to the requests of the residents in the neighbourhood, as well as the reminder from the Sha Tin district council to make environmental-friendliness a principle in putting the facility in place.' According to the department, Hong Kong residents will have a month from Monday to apply for the 4,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, as well as the 6000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium and Shek Mun Columbarium. A standard niche, suitable for one or more sets of cremated ashes, will cost HK$2,400 (US$307) for a 20-year period, with an additional HK$1,200 for each subsequent decade. A large niche, accommodating three or more sets of cremated ashes, will cost HK$3,000 for 20 years, followed by HK$1,500 for each additional decade. The Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbaria have a 50 per cent smoke-free policy, with the authorities reminding the applicants that should they wish to pay respects with any burnt offerings, they should not choose Shek Mun Columbarium.
RTHK
14-05-2025
- General
- RTHK
Race for 16,000 columbarium niches begins on Monday
Race for 16,000 columbarium niches begins on Monday The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced that the application period for the over 16,000 new niches will be between May 19 and June 18. Photo: RTHK Officials said applications for more than 16,000 new niches will open on Monday, including spaces at the newly-constructed Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin, which is set to begin operations this year. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will offer a total of 16,150 extendable niches: 4,000 standard and 50 large ones at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI; 6,000 standard and 50 large ones at Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium; and 6,000 standard and 50 large ones at Shek Mun Columbarium. The initial interment period for the allocated public niches is 20 years, with an option to extend for an additional 10 years after that. At the end of the period, users can keep their niche by extending the interment period and paying the required fee. Jacqueline Ho, the department's assistance director of grade management and development, said that while the Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson-San Ha facilities have designated areas for burning joss sticks and offerings, the Shek Mun complex will be completely smoke-free. "If [people] want to conduct the burning of offerings or of joss sticks [at Shek Mun Columbarium], we will ask them to leave," she said. "We've already made a note on the application form and highlighted that the burning of offerings and the incense are prohibited," she said. "In the application form, we have three venues, so you have to make the right choice to choose what you want." Ho added that the department consulted residents nearby as well as the Sha Tin district council before deciding to make the new columbarium smoke-free, given its proximity to residential areas. In terms of pricing, the department said standard niches will cost HK$2,400, while large niches are HK$3,000, with renewals every 10 years costing HK$1,200 and HK$1,500 respectively. It added that applications will close on June 18 and ballot draws will be held in the third quarter.
