The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will allocate some 20 000 new extendable niches at Tsang Tsui Columbarium, Tuen Mun, and Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium, Wan Chai, which will be open for application starting from May 15.
 
     An FEHD spokesman said today (May 2), "The FEHD will make available 163 320 new niches located at Tsang Tsui Columbarium for allocation in phases. With the 20 160 standard niches, including 7 080 smoke-free niches and 13 080 non-smoke-free niches, and 220 non-smoke-free large niches for allocation in the first phase, together with 855 smoke-free standard niches at Wong Nai Chung Road Columbarium, a total of 21 235 niches, all extendable, will be allocated in this exercise. The application period will start from May 15 till June 14."
 
     Applicants should only file one application form to apply for either a large niche or standard niche for the same deceased person. When applying for a large niche, the applicant has to fill in at least three deceased persons' particulars in the application form. For applications for a standard niche, the applicant has to fill in at least one deceased person's particulars.
 
     The spokesman said, "In order to expedite the allocation process, the priorities of successful applicants for niche allocation and the designated niches assigned to them are to be decided by drawing of lots and computer balloting. The niches will not be chosen by the applicants themselves. The successful applicants can make use of the niche location enquiry system on the FEHD website to enquire regarding the location of the niches concerned. If the applicant decides to take up the designated niche, he or she must complete the relevant formalities and settle the payments at the Public Niche Allocation Office according to the scheduled date and time.
 
     "In addition, to encourage co-location of ashes and take those who have failed in the last allocation exercise into consideration, these two categories of applicants, if satisfying the criteria for the respective category, will be given an additional ballot paper under that category to enhance the chance of successful balloting.
 
     "As regards the ashes interment period, the initial interment period is 20 years after the allocation of a niche and it can be extended at 10-year intervals. On expiry of the 20-year/10-year interment period, as long as the related persons confirm extension of the interment period and pay the prevailing prescribed fee, the use of the allocated niche can be continued," he said.
 
     Starting from May 15, application forms can be downloaded from the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or obtained from the department's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, Post Offices on Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Peng Chau and at Mui Wo and Tai O or by fax through enquiry hotline 2841 9111.
 
     The completed application form together with copies of the required documents shall be submitted by fax (2333 1716) email (apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk), or in person to the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office or by post to the above offices. The applicant holding "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes" or "Certificates of Cremation" of the deceased issued by FEHD may fill in the electronic application form and submit the application online.
 
     The spokesman added, "Since the type and number of niches (standard/large; smoke-free/non-smoke-free) available for allocation in the two columbaria are different, the chance of successful allocation varies. When deciding the type of niche to be selected for application, applicants may make reference to relevant information for assessing the chance of successful allocation."
 
     The FEHD will notify the successful applicants by SMS, email, or post of the serial number of the designated niche allocated. Applicants can also check the results of their applications on the day after the drawing of lots and computer balloting at the FEHD's website, Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, Public Niche Allocation Office and through the enquiry hotline 2841 9111.
  
     Leaflets about the arrangement of this niche allocation exercise are available for collection from today at the department's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, Post Offices on Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Peng Chau or at Mui Wo and Tai O. For details, please visit the FEHD's website, or call 2841 9111 or email to enquiry_newniche@fehd.gov.hk for enquiries.
 
     Information on the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices and Public Niche Allocation Office of FEHD is as follows:

Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: 1J, Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel: 2570 4318
Fax: 2591 1879
 
Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
Tel: 2365 5321
Fax: 2176 4963
 
Public Niche Allocation Office
Address: Upper Ground Floor, Block B, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom
Tel: 2330 5635
Fax: 2333 1716

Ends/Thursday, May 2, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:15

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