Hung Hom · Complete Funeral Services · FEHD-Licensed Undertaker
Free assistance with public and private niches and longevity memorial tablets across Hong Kong. A six-step guide to eligibility, documents, submission, the ballot and payment.
In the past, if you applied for a public columbarium niche and missed the annual application period, you usually had to wait about nine months or even close to a year before you could submit your application again. This situation has changed.
FEHD will apply the "monthly allocation" arrangement to all four columbarium with new niche supply in starting from 1 August 2026 - Tuen Mun Tsang Tsui , Fanling Wo Hop Shek The sixth phase , Eastern District Cape Collinson Xinha , Shatin Shek Mun . Currently provides a total of more than 1,600 renewable columbarium niches every month. After the lottery is drawn, will be informed of the results via SMS or email on the same day . Even if does not win the first choice, Tsang Tsui's niche will be automatically allocated.
This page is a practical operation manual - starting from self-checking qualifications and gradually teaching you to win the lottery and pay the fee. If you want to compare public, BMCPC, private and green funerals first, please read columbarium niche / four choices of cemetery ; if you want to see the latest policy trends, please read latest news .
Eligibility relates to the deceased, not the applicant. The deceased must meet one of the following conditions:
Check this first; it could save months: If the family already has an FEHD niche and the deceased was a close relative of, or had a close relationship with, the first person interred, apply directly to place additional ashes using FEHB 136A, at HK$140 per set. No waiting list or ballot is required. FEHD removed the limit on the number of sets of ashes in public niches in January 2014. See “Additional Ashes and Renewal” below.
Compare the three conditions in the previous section. Condition two (overseas cremation) requires the preparation of additional documents of residence in Hong Kong and valid legal certification documents. This is the most likely to cause problems. It is recommended to set aside time to collect them.
Three basic documents + (like multiple the deceased) relationship certificate. See the next section for the complete list, which can be printed directly for verification.
Four columbaria with new niche supply: Tuen Mun Tsang Tsui , Fanling Wo Hop Shek Phase 6 , Eastern District Cape Collinson San Ha , Shatin Shek Mun ( Total ban on incense ). Standard niche must fill in no less than one the deceased's information; Large niche must fill in no less than three the deceased's information, and the other the deceased must be the first the deceased Close relative or close relationship.
The application period is from 9:00 am on the first day of each month to 5:00 pm on the last day of the month (unless otherwise announced). There is no fee to pay when submitting the application. See below for a comparison of the five submission methods—the choice of this step can vary by nearly 50 days.
The ballot takes place at 10 am on the 20th of the month following the application month at the Public Niche Allocation Office. If that date is a Saturday or public holiday, it moves to the next working day. Results are available by SMS or email on the same day. You may also check on FEHD’s website using the application number and identity card number, or call 2841 9111.
The FEHD notifies successful applicants in batches according to their priority ranking, by letter or through WhatsApp/SMS and email, giving the specific niche number allocated. Payment amounts and methods are set out below.
If you are unable to submit valid supporting documents, you can go to any of the following places to go through the oath procedure in person:
| Office | address |
|---|---|
| FEHD Hong Kong Island Cemeteries and Crematoria Office | No. 1J, Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley |
| FEHD Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office | Hung Hom No. 6 Cheong Hang Road, Lower Ground Floor |
| public columbarium niche allocation office | 35th Floor, Tower 1, Metropolis Plaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong (Telephone 2330 5635) |
" Next of kin " means a spouse, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, spouse's father, spouse's mother, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, or a direct descendant in the paternal or maternal line. The Kowloon Cemetery and Crematorium Office (No. 6, Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom) is in the same district as the Tim Fat Funeral store (G/F, No. 26 Baker Street), within walking distance . We can accompany family members to handle the matter.
Many people have asked for this step, but according to the active investigation report of the Office of the Ombudsman in August 2026, choosing the wrong method can delay nearly 50 days .
| way | Details | processing speed |
|---|---|---|
| Apply online (strongly recommended) | Complete the online application form and upload the required documents in PDF or JPEG format | The fastest option. If the same applicant uses the online platform or form to apply for cremation and a niche for the deceased at the same time, the system can approve the applications automatically within one day. |
| apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk | Paper and email applications take approximately 50 days to process on average | |
| Fax | 2333 1716 | Same as above |
| Send to FEHD Hong Kong Island or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office | Same as above, plus the risk of postal delays | |
| Hand delivery | Drop the application form into the drop-in box at the cemeteries and crematoria offices on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon during office hours | Same as above |
Three practical tips: 1. Use online channels and apply for cremation in the same niche at the same time ; 2. FEHD strongly recommends applying online to avoid postal delays and quickly receive a confirmation receipt with the application number ; 3. If you submit the application If has not received the confirmation receipt after ten calendar days, you should call 2841 9111 for enquiry.
All niches, regardless of height or orientation within the same niche wall, are allocated to successful applicants by ballot and computer randomisation. Applicants cannot choose their niche. The ballot is recorded and uploaded to FEHD’s website. Fifty seats are also available to public observers on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservation required.
To assist applicants who were unsuccessful in the previous ballot and to encourage the placement of additional ashes, the following two categories of application may receive one additional ballot entry within their respective group, provided the relevant criteria are met:
Each application may receive no more than one extra ballot entry in each category.
| columbarium | Forbidden incense large | Non-banned large size | Banned incense standards | Non-banned fragrance standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wo Hop Shek Issue 6 | about 3 | about 3 | about 50 | about 50 |
| Cape Collinson (Xinxia) | about 3 | about 3 | about 50 | about 50 |
| Shimen (total incense ban) | about 6 | — | about 420 | — |
| Tsang Tsui | — | 6 | 500 | 500 |
Did you win the first choice? Those who apply for a standard niche but are not allocated to the selected resettlement site will be automatically allocated to a non-scented or non-scented standard niche in Tsang Tsui columbarium ; those who apply for a large niche will be allocated to a non-scented large niche in Tsang Tsui. Therefore, the number of Tsang Tsui launched will be adjusted according to the application status.
The area where the incense-free niche is located does not have facilities for burning incense and candles as sacrifices . Flowers, fruits, etc. must be used instead when worshiping. Shih Mun columbarium is completely incense-free ; Tsang Tsui, Wo Hop Shek Phase 6 and Cape Collinson Xinxia have both categories. If your family is accustomed to burning paper offerings every year during the Qingming Festival and Double Ninth Festival, you should not choose the forbidden incense position just because you have a chance to win the lottery , otherwise you will feel uncomfortable doing it every year in the future. For related sacrifice arrangements, see paper offerings .
| Project | standard niche | large niche |
|---|---|---|
| The first 20 years of placement period | $2,400 | $3,000 |
| Permission to set up a monument | $90 | $90 |
| Check/Cashier's Order Face Amount | $2,490 | $3,090 |
| Renewal (every 10 years) | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Add each serving of the deceased ashes | $140 | $140 |
An easily overlooked rule: If the first ashes of the deceased have been removed , niche must be returned to FEHD . Therefore, when the family decides to appoint the deceased as the "first deceased", they should consider long-term arrangements and coordinate with all immediate family members in advance.
We can handle the selection of dates, offerings and ritual arrangements for the superior after the ashes are placed (flowers will be used instead at the incense-forbidden site), see for details of each religious ceremony .
FEHD clearly stated: Applications with incomplete documents, incomplete information, late or repeated submissions will not be accepted. The following are the most common mistakes in practice:
Anti-fraud reminder: FEHD pointed out that the application procedure is simple. Applicants only need to fill in the form together with copies of documents and submit it by themselves. There is no need to entrust other people or institutions to handle it ; There is no need to pay any fees when submitting the application . FEHD has not entrusted any organisation or person to receive or process applications on its behalf, and no one will enjoy any convenience or privilege . In the public niche, Tim Fat Funeral only assists in checking qualifications, organising documents and explaining the process - we do not and cannot provide any "expedited" or "in-house" channels. If someone claims to be able to "do it for you", please be alert immediately.
In January 2014, the FEHD removed the upper limit on the number of sets of ashes that may be placed in a public niche. Additional ashes may be placed in the same niche after approval, provided the deceased had a close family or personal relationship with the first deceased person interred there:
So the first thing to do is to find out whether the family has an existing niche. Many families waited in vain for several rounds of drawings because they did not ask their elders.
Since 26 April 2019, all newly allocated public niches have been renewable niches. The initial interment period is 20 years, followed by renewals of 10 years each. Current renewal charges are HK$1,200 for a standard niche and HK$1,500 for a large niche.
The BMCPC and FEHD operate separate systems, so families can consider both at the same time. Around 72,400 new niches in Section A39 (outdoor) and Shung Hau Hall (indoor) at Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery are being allocated in phases. All niches in this area are smoke-free.
Upload (a) the documents proving the deceased's permanent residence in Hong Kong during his lifetime (such as the Hong Kong Permanent Resident Identity Card); and (b) the documents proving the deceased's cremation (if cremated in Hong Kong, "ashes permit" is obtained), or the certificate of ashes storage issued by the deceased's current storage location. Documents must be in Chinese or English, otherwise they must be translated, signed and stamped by a translation company.
The registration application is based on the deceased . Once submitted , the deceased cannot be replaced; only one application is accepted for each deceased in each period. There is no fee to pay when submitting the application.
BMCPC will send a confirmation receipt via email within 21 working days after the review, attaching the deceased Huayong number , which will be used to randomly allocate the subscription order and niche by computer.
Results are published on BMCPC’s website at 2 pm on the day after the ballot, and all applicants are notified by post. There is no reserve list. Unsuccessful applications lapse for that phase, but applicants may register for the next phase.
Successful applicants attend the sales office in their allocated order, present original documents and pay the purchase fee. Payment may be made by FPS, cashier’s order or a crossed cheque payable that day to the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, or by cash deposited at the designated bank, with the original deposit slip returned to the office.
Permit holders must place the ashes within the three-month validity period starting on the purchase date, including any applications to add ashes made during that period. No extension is allowed. If ashes are not placed in time, BMCPC may cancel the permit and reclaim the niche. Payment by cashier’s order, cash or FPS allows an appointment from 48 hours later; payment by cheque allows an appointment from three working days later.
The first placement is only limited to the eligible deceased, that is, a person permanently residing in Hong Kong and of Chinese ancestry, or his or her spouse or their children . According to Section 3 of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries Rules (Chapter 1112 Subsidiary Legislation A of the Laws of Hong Kong), "permanent residence in Hong Kong" means continuous residence in Hong Kong for a total of not less than 7 years for the purposes of the Immigration Ordinance, or the right to enter Hong Kong and remain in Hong Kong without conditions of stay. The deceased who is buried in addition must be a relative of the first deceased.
Allocation Office: 34/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; telephone 2511 1116. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2:00–4:30 p.m.; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The BMCPC has not appointed any organisation or individual to receive or process applications on its behalf. It advises applicants to visit the cemetery beforehand to inspect the allocated outdoor niche and its surroundings. It also strongly recommends that the certificate holder be a relative of the first deceased person interred, with prior agreement among all legal heirs. Daily quotas apply to interment work, and quotas may be suspended or reduced during Ching Ming and Chung Yeung, so book early.
longevity memorial tablet (also known as longevity niche) is an honorary tablet set for living persons , enshrined in temples, Taoist halls or religious places. It is of prayer nature and is completely different from the nature of columbarium niche where the deceased ashes are placed. Traditionally, it is set up by the children or myself for the elders, which means praying for longevity and blessing.
Organisations differ considerably in eligibility, memorial periods, charges and ceremony arrangements. There is no single standard; enquire directly with the venue. We can assist with applications for public and private niches and longevity memorial tablets in different districts, and help families compare the terms.
agency service
Check the deceased’s eligibility for burial, organize identity and cremation documents, accompany the deceased to the Kowloon cemetery and crematorium offices to take the oath, and explain the lottery and renewal mechanism.
Professional columbarium niche agent, enjoys exclusive discounts, provides professional advice, free luxury 7-person car transfer to view seats, and assists in verifying licence plate status.
A complete comparison of public, BMCPC, private and green funerals, with the latest fees, terms and application documents list.
Agent FEHB 148 Relocation or exhumation of remains permit, arrangements for registered masonry contractor exhumation, exhumed remains cremation and burial urn reburial.
We handle cremation certificates, relocation permits and documents required by consulates in various places.
In conjunction with the SWD burial grant (capped at $17,870 in 2026), a simple and solemn burial plan can be arranged for families with financial difficulties.
All the following are official channels of the government and statutory agencies. You can check by yourself without paying through any intermediary .
A maximum wait of one month. From 1 August 2026, FEHD applies monthly allocation to four columbaria. Applications run from 9 am on the first day of each month to 5 pm on the last day, with the ballot at 10 am on the 20th of the following month. Previously, missing the annual application window generally meant waiting around nine months, or almost a year.
Total over 1,600 per month. The sixth phase of Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson Xinxia each have an appointment: large-sized 3 for non-incense, large 3 for non-incense, standard 50 for non-incense, standard 50 for non-incense; Shimen: large 6 for non-incense, standard 420 for non-incense; Tsang Tsui: large 6 for non-incense, standard 500 for non-incense, standard 500 for non-incense (will be adjusted according to the application situation).
Apply online. Paper and email applications take about 50 days on average. If the same person applies for both cremation and a niche for the deceased at the same time through the online platform or form, the system can approve the application automatically within one day.
Eligibility relates to the deceased, who must meet one of these conditions: they were a Hong Kong resident at death and their remains were cremated in a government crematorium within three months of death; they had been a Hong Kong resident for at least 10 of the 20 years immediately before death and were cremated outside Hong Kong; or their remains were lawfully exhumed in Hong Kong and subsequently cremated in a government crematorium.
Three copies: a copy of the applicant's identity card, a copy of each deceased's identity card or proof of residence in Hong Kong, and a copy of each deceased's " Ashes Collection Permit " or "Cremation Certificate" or "Permit to Remove / Exhume Remains". If there are multiple deceased persons in the same household, proof of close relatives or close relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) must be attached.
Yes. Those whose ashes are still stored in the government crematorium do not need to submit a Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes; if has successfully booked the cremation time before the end of the application period, you can first submit the " body of the deceased cremation fee receipt " together with the application form to obtain the Permit. to Take Away Cremated Ashes and resubmit as soon as possible.
“Close relatives” include a spouse, parents, paternal or maternal grandparents, brothers, sisters, a spouse’s father or mother, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and lineal descendants through either the paternal or maternal line. If documentary proof is unavailable, make a statutory declaration at FEHD’s Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office (1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley), Kowloon office (Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom), or Public Niche Allocation Office (35/F, Tower 1, Metroplaza, Kwai Fong).
Standard niche must fill in no less than one person the deceased’s information ($2,400/first 20 years, $1,200 for renewal); Large niche must fill in no less than three characters the deceased Information ($3,000/first 20 years, $1,500 for renewal), the other deceased must be the first close relative or close relationship of the deceased. If you plan to add family members in the future, a large niche is more suitable.
No. All niches, regardless of height or orientation, are allocated by ballot and computer randomisation. A recording is uploaded online. Fifty seats are available for public observers on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservation required.
Yes. Those who failed to win the lottery last time (excluding those who gave up after winning the lottery) and who chose to add ashes and meet the criteria can each receive an additional lottery ticket , with a maximum of one per application per group.
There are restrictions. For applications submitted from August 1, 2022, regardless of whether the successful candidate accepts allocation, will not accept the same deceased application for the same resettlement home within 6 months . The same the deceased submitted for two consecutive months, but the previous time there was no result and the next meeting suspended the processing .
Automatically assigned Tsang Tsui columbarium - standard niche with Tsang Tsui standard niche that prohibits incense or non-incense, large niche with Tsang Tsui large niche that does not prohibit incense. After the draw , you can get the result via SMS or email on the same day .
Acceptable are EPS, FPS, check or cashier's order. The face amount of the check/cashier order is $2,490 (standard: $2,400 + monument $90) or $3,090 (large: $3,000 + $90), payable to " Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ", must be crossed out . Those who apply online and meet specific approval qualifications can use " One-Code Online Service and Payment ".
In the prohibited incense area , there are no facilities for burning incense and candle offerings , and flowers and fruits must be used instead. Total incense ban in Shimen ; Tsang Tsui, Wo Hop Shek Issue 6, Cape Collinson Xinxia are both available. If the family is accustomed to burning paper offerings, priority should be given to non-forbidden incense positions .
Yes, and does not need to wait in line or draw lots . The upper limit on the number of FEHD has been lifted in January 2014 . Those who are close relatives or closely related to the first deceased can be placed in the same niche with approval. Form FEHB 136A , each $140 . The first thing you should do is to find out whether the family has an existing niche.
Starting from April 26, 2019 , all newly allocated public niches are renewable , with an initial placement period of 20 years and subsequent renewal every 10 years (standard $1,200, large $1,500). If the deceased ashes have been removed, the niche must be returned to FEHD.
Four options: FEHD ashes temporary storage (FEHB 251; Kwai Chung only accepts ashes bags, Wo Hop Shek only accepts ashes urns , $80 per month after the first two months); Home placement (Not more than 10 the deceased); Licensed private columbarium ; or Green funeral ashes scattering (free).
FEHD clearly states that incomplete documents, incomplete information, late or repeated submissions will not be accepted . Common mistakes: unclear copy, insufficient proof of ten years of residence in Hong Kong for overseas cremation, failure to attach proof of relationship and failure to take an oath, missing the monthly application period, repeated applications within the 6-month restriction period, filling in large niches with less than three "the deceased". Ten calendar days after submission. If the confirmation receipt is not received, please call 2841 9111 .
No need. FEHD means that the procedure is simple and can be submitted by oneself, there is no need to pay when submitting , and no organisation or person is entrusted to handle it , no one enjoys convenience or privileges . We only assist in checking qualifications, organising documents and explaining the process. will not and cannot provide expedited channels.
The BMCPC allocates niches in phases. An acknowledgement containing the deceased’s BMCPC reference number is issued within 21 working days of online submission. Results are announced at 2 p.m. on the day after the ballot, with no reserve list. Successful applicants must attend the Allocation Office in person, present the original documents and pay the charges. Ashes must be interred within three months of purchase; extensions are not permitted.
In 2026, Phase 3 renewable family niches at Shung Hau Hall comprise around 12,000 niches at HK$16,000 each (renewal HK$8,000; each additional set of ashes HK$300). Applications run from 5 October to 6 November 2026, with the ballot at 2:30 pm on 1 December and sales starting on 31 December. Cremation must be completed on or before 6 November. Allocation is not first come, first served.
The longevity memorial tablet is a tablet set for the living . It is enshrined in temples, Taoist halls or religious places. It is of prayer nature and is different from the columbarium niche where the deceased ashes are placed. The qualifications, tenure, fees and ceremonies of each institution vary widely, so you must inquire directly. We can handle public and private columbarium niche and longevity memorial tablet in various districts.
These procedures may seem complicated, but in fact there are clear answers for each step. The fastest way is to make a phone call and explain your situation clearly - when the deceased died, where he was cremated, and whether the family has an existing niche - we can immediately tell you where you are going and what documents you need to submit.
Tim Fat Funeral is FEHD licensed undertaker , located at G/F, 26 Baker Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong , on the same street as FEHD Kowloon Cemetery and Crematorium Office (G/F, No. 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom), for oaths, forms and The procedures related to ashes are very convenient, and we can accompany family members there. Serving the Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City, Ho Man Tin, Whampoa, Yau Tsim Mong, and Wong Tai Sin areas, we also undertake cases from all districts in Hong Kong and cross-border cases. Mr Wu answers calls 24 hours a day.
Contact method: Phone (24 hours) 82099774 · WhatsApp 62384028 · Email timfatfuneral@gmail.com ·Fax 3599 9637·Address: G/F, 26 Baker Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. For transportation details, please see and contact us .
The application procedures, document requirements, lottery mechanism and fees on this page are compiled from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) public columbarium niche allocation arrangements, "Charge Schedule for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services", the Office of the Ombudsman's "Public columbarium niche allocation" proactive investigation action report (announced on August 25, 2026), and the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC) Placing Announcement and Chinese Permanent Cemeteries Rules (Cap. 1112 sub. leg. A). The dates, quantities and fees of the government and BMCPC may be revised from time to time. For actual information, please refer to the latest official announcement, or call us for free enquiry. This page was last edited: September 2026.