FEHD announces latest arrangement and enhancement measures for public niche allocation
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Having reviewed the current supply and demand for public niches, the FEHD will enhance the existing public niche allocation arrangements. A new monthly allocation arrangement will be launched with effect from August 1 this year to replace the annual allocation. Under the new arrangement, in addition to the existing monthly allocation for Tsang Tsui Columbarium in Tuen Mun, the Department will include three additional columbaria for monthly niche allocation: Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling, and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Chai Wan.
An FEHD spokesman said, "The new arrangement will commence in August. To facilitate its implementation, the Department will conduct an annual allocation exercise in April this year to address the demand for niches that has arisen since last year's annual allocation. In this Annual Allocation exercise, the FEHD will allocate a total of 12 150 extendable public niches, comprising 4 000 standard niches and 50 large niches at each of Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, and Shek Mun Columbarium. A public drawing of lots and computer random balloting are planned for late July to determine the allocation sequence for all eligible applicants and the designated niches allocated to successful applicants. The exact date will be announced in due course."
The spokesman added, "Starting from August 1, the FEHD will implement the new monthly public niche allocation mechanism, providing a total of not less than 1 600 extendable niches each month across Tsang Tsui Columbarium, Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI and Shek Mun Columbarium (details of niche allocation are set out in the Annex). In the past two years, about 18 000 niches were allocated each year. The monthly supply of not less than 1 600 extendable niches, making a total supply of not less than 19 000 niches in a year, is sufficient to meet public demand. The Department will closely monitor monthly niche application trends and review and adjust the relevant arrangement as appropriate in light of actual needs."
The spokesman emphasised that every applicant will be allocated a niche under the new monthly allocation arrangement. If the number of applications for a particular columbarium exceeds the available quota, resulting in applicants not being allocated a niche at their selected columbarium, the FEHD will automatically allocate a niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium. In such circumstances, applicants may decide whether to accept the automatically assigned niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium.
If applicants choose to decline the automatically allocated niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium, they may re-submit applications in the next monthly allocation exercise. However, if a successful applicant declines an allocated niche at their selected columbarium, the FEHD will not accept a further application for the same deceased person at the same columbarium for a period of six months thereafter.
After the implementation of the new monthly allocation arrangement, the FEHD will no longer conduct annual allocations.
For details of the niche allocation arrangements, please visit the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk).
In addition, Wo Hop Shek Garden of Forever Love Phase II, which provides abortus keeping services, will be open for public application starting April 1 this year. Also from the same date, the columbarium's first water-soluble commemorative facility, "The Spring of Love", will be opened for public use.
Ends/Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:40
Issued at HKT 17:40
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