************************************************************
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 29) that all services for the disposal of the dead would be suspended on the Lunar New Year's Day (February 18).
A spokesman for the department said that on that day, no coffin would be accepted for burial at public cemeteries and no cremations would be undertaken at public crematoria. In addition, no transportation of coffins to public cemeteries would be carried out. All cemeteries and crematorium offices would be closed.
"Normal cremation services, burial services and transportation of coffins to public cemeteries will be carried out on February 17. Following the Lunar New Year¡¯s Day suspensions, services will resume on February 19," the spokesman said.
"During the Lunar New Year holidays from February 17 to 20, no bodies will be removed by the department from public mortuaries or hospitals.
"During the same period, all permit offices and cremation booking offices will be closed.
¡°Normal services will resume on February 21 after the holidays."
Ends/Monday, January 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:57
NNNN
