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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is now inviting applications for the scattering of cremated ashes in the new Garden of Remembrance (GoR) at the Diamond Hill Crematorium.
The 2,000 square metre 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.
"It is the biggest GoR managed by the department," a spokesman for the FEHD said today (July 9).
"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 to these tranquil surroundings at any time to remember their loved ones," he said.
The new GoR brings the total number of GoRs under the management of the FEHD to ten. They are located in eight public columbaria including Cape Collinson, Diamond Hill, Wo Hop Shek, Fu Shan, Kwai Chung, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lamma Island.
"In recent years, there has been rising acceptance of green burial among Hong Kong people. Applications for scattering cremated ashes at GoRs have increased over four-fold from 383 cases in 2008 to 1 648 cases in 2011," the spokesman added.
Applicants, either in person or through an authorised agent, should bring along the completed application form and the original copy of the "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes" when applying 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. On 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. Scattering cremated ashes at GoRs is free of charge.
For details, please visit the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/ashes.html). The application form FEHB 219 can be downloaded from the website and is also available at the following offices:
Cemeteries and Crematoria (Hong Kong) Section
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 about the new Diamond Hill GoR can be made to its office on 2326 0012 during office hours.
Ends/Monday, July 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:01
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