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Members of the public can apply to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) from tomorrow (May 6) for scattering cremated ashes in the new Western-style Garden of Remembrance (GoR) at Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V free of charge.
The GoR features a variety of flowers and plants in a scenic and tranquil environment, with memorial walls for mounting plaques in memory of the deceased.
"A Western-style GoR and a Chinese-style GoR are provided in the West Wing and East Wing respectively in Kiu Tau Road Columbarium. The GoR in the West Wing has a Western design concept and is decorated with stone animal sculptures and thematic plaque walls creating an artistic atmosphere for the GoR. The GoR in the East Wing now under construction is designed with a Chinese concept. It comprises three tiers, carrying different themes with different Chinese plantings: bamboo, plum and willow. The Chinese-style GoR is expected to open to the public in mid-2013," a spokesman for the FEHD said today (May 5).
"Members of the public can choose to scatter the cremated ashes of their loved ones themselves or with the help of dedicated staff of the FEHD. Memorial rituals may be performed. Family members and friends can come at any time to remember their loved ones in a tranquil environment," he said.
The new GoR brings the total number of GoRs under the management of the FEHD to 11. They are located in eight public columbaria, namely Cape Collinson, Diamond Hill, Wo Hop Shek, Fu Shan, Kwai Chung, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lamma Island.
"In recent years, there has been growing acceptance of green burial. Applications for scattering cremated ashes at GoRs have increased more than fivefold from 383 cases in 2008 to 2 023 cases last year," the spokesman added.
Applicants, either in person or represented by an authorised agent, should present the completed application form and the original copy of the "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes" upon application at the Cemeteries and Crematoria Section offices in Hung Hom or Happy Valley.
The application form may also be sent to one of the above offices by fax or by post. Upon receipt of the form, the FEHD will contact the applicant to arrange for submission of the original copy of the Permit. Approval will normally be given within seven working days.
For details of scattering cremated ashes in the GoR, please visit the FEHD webpage: www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/ashes.html. The application form FEHB 219 can be downloaded from the website or obtained from the following offices:
Cemeteries and Crematoria (Hong Kong) Section
G/F, 1J Wong Nai Chung Road
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel: 2570 4318
Fax: 2591 1879
Cemeteries and Crematoria (Kowloon) Section
Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road
Hung Hom
Kowloon
Tel: 2365 5321
Fax: 2176 4963
Enquiries on the new Wo Hop Shek GoR can be made at its office on 2696 4031 during office hours.
Ends/Sunday, May 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:01
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