FEHD sets up Green Burial Central Register
******************************************
An FEHD spokesman said, "The Government spares no efforts to promote green burial. Whether for scattering cremated ashes of the deceased in Gardens of Remembrance or at sea, green burial can conserve the environment and help save land resources."
"In view of the growing number of users of green burial services in recent years, the FEHD has set up the central register to encourage members of the public to plan in advance their after-death arrangements and register their wish for green burial. The FEHD will follow up appropriately if a deceased person with his or her wish registered is identified on the register upon cremation booking by the family members."
The spokesman appealed to the public to support green burial, share with family members their wish for returning to nature and sign up in the central register to make life easier for their loved ones and leave the next generation a beautiful environment.
He added that the central register lets members of the public express early their wish for green burial and facilitates fulfilment of the wish by their descendants. Even if there is no prior registration, descendants can still choose green burial for the deceased.
Moreover, to sustain the efforts in expanding and enhancing the green burial facilities, in addition to the 11 Gardens of Remembrance managed by the FEHD, a new Garden of Remembrance located in front of the old Kwai Chung Crematorium will commence service tomorrow (January 23). The new Garden of Remembrance, situated in a scenic and tranquil environment, is easily accessible. Members of the public can scatter the cremated ashes of their loved ones themselves or with the help of FEHD staff, which is free of charge. Four electronic kiosks are also set up beside the new Garden of Remembrance for paying tribute to the deceased.
The FEHD also arranges free ferry services for the public to scatter cremated ashes at designated areas in Hong Kong waters every Saturday. Since the Ching Ming Festival in 2014, the department has also invited previous users of the service of scattering cremated ashes at sea to free ferry rides to the designated areas around the grave-sweeping seasons to pay tribute to the deceased.
Details on the Green Burial Central Register are available on the thematic website www.greenburial.gov.hk. Members of the public can register online or return the registration form to the FEHD by post, fax or email. For enquiries, please call 2562 7130.
Ends/Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN