How to apply for allocation of new niches at Tsang Tsui Columbarium?

Content

• Number of niches for allocation
• Eligibility
• Mean of application submission
• Supporting document
• Balloting, drawing of lots and niche allocation

Number of niches for allocation

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) releases approximately 1,700 new niches each month at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium:

• Smoke-free standard niche: 850
• Non-smoke-free standard niches: 850
• Non-smoke-free large niches: 20

The number of niches may be adjusted according to the application situation. For the latest information on available niches and their locations, please click here.

Eligibility

The cremated ashes of the following persons may be deposited in the columbaria of FEHD:

• Individuals who were Hong Kong residents at the time of their death and whose remains were cremated within three months of their death at a government crematorium; or
• Individuals who were Hong Kong residents for at least ten years within the twenty years preceding their death and whose remains were cremated in a crematorium outside Hong Kong; or
• Individuals whose remains were lawfully exhumed and cremated in at a government crematorium in Hong Kong.

Mean of application submission

Application period

• Open for application until further notice
• Starts on the first day of each month at 9:00 AM and ends on the last day of the same month at 5:00 PM

Submitting application form

• Completed online application form or paper application form FEHB 294 (Application for Allocation of a Niche (Tsang Tsui Columbarium)) should be submitted along with the supporting documents during the application period with the following means:
  • Online application
  • Email to apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk
  • By post or drop-off at the designated drop-off boxes at the FEHD Hong Kong Crematorium and Cemeteries Office (1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley) or the Kowloon Crematorium and Cemeteries Office (UG/F, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom)

  • Fax to 2333 1716

• No application fee is required when submitting the application.
• On receipt of the application form and supporting documents, FEHD will issue an acknowledgement receipt with an application number to the applicant by post, fax or email. Applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement receipt ten calendar days after submitting the application can call hotline 2841 9111 for enquiries.

Supporting documents

Copy of the following documents must be submitted along with the application form. For online application, please upload the soft copy in PDF or JPEG format. Successful applicant shall present the originals of the documents during allocation process.

• Copy of applicant’s Hong Kong Identity Card;
• Copy of Hong Kong Identity Card or document proof of Hong Kong residency for each deceased;
• Copy of cremation record for the deceased:

• If the niche is for depositing ashes of more than one deceased, copies of the documentary proof (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) showing that the first deposited deceased person and the other deceased are close relatives or in close relationship.
  • Close relative means the spouse, parent, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a direct descendant of either the male or female line.
  • In the absence of documentary proof for close relatives or close relationship, the applicant may take an oath at the following offices:
    • Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office (1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong (Near Hong Kong Cemetery) ; or
    • Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office (Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon) ; or
    • Public Niche Allocation Office (Units 3501-3511 & 3520-3525, 35/F, Tower 1, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, N.T.)

Balloting, drawing of lots and niche allocation

• Drawing of lots and computer balloting will be conducted on the 20th of the following month (or the next working day if it falls on a Saturday or public holiday). Click here to view the video record of balloting and drawing of lots.
• Niches are allocated by random draw and computer balloting based on the order of successful applicants rather than niche selection by successful applicants. Successful applicants will be allotted a priority number and a designated niche.
• Applicant may check the result on the next day after balloting:
  • FEHD Website
  • Niche Application Status Enquiry (Tsang Tsui Columbarium)
  • Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
  • Public Niche Allocation Office (next day after balloting);
  • Hotline 2841 9111

Successful applicant

• FEHD will invite successful applicants to complete the allocation process at a specific timeslot at the Public Niche Allocation Office (Address: 35/F, Tower 1, Metropole Square, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories). Applicants are required to produce original supporting documents and settle relevant payments over the allocation counter..

• FEHD will notify the successful applicants of the ballot result by WhatsApp / SMS and email or post

  • Letter will be issued to successful applicant 10 days before the appointment date

  • Reminder WhatsApp/ SMS message and email will be issued to successful applicant 7 days before the appointment date

• The fees for an extendable niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium for the initial 20-year interment period and permission for placing a memorial plaque

  • Standard Niches: total $2,490
  • Large Niches: total $3,090
• Payment methods
  • EPS
  • FPS
  • Crossed cheque or cashier order payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”
• If an applicant decides not to take up the niche and fails to show up at the designated office at the scheduled time to complete the allocation formalities or settle the payment, the niche is considered to have been given up by the applicant, and it is considered that the application has been processed. FEHD will not accept further application for the same deceased within the next 6 months.

For more information, you can call 2841 9111 or refer to the FEHD website and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ).