Complete Guide to Funeral Services in Hong Kong

Introduction: When a Loved One Passes Away

Losing a loved one is among the most painful experiences in life. Amid grief, families often need to make numerous decisions within just a few days — from administrative paperwork to ceremony arrangements, from funeral parlour bookings to ash placement. This guide aims to provide a clear, practical reference when you need it most, so you can make informed decisions and arrange a dignified farewell for your loved one.

This guide is compiled using the latest information from Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Immigration Department, and the funeral industry, covering every step from the moment of death to final ash placement.

Chapter 1: What to Do Immediately After a Death

Death in Hospital

If your loved one passes away in a hospital (public or private), the hospital will handle most immediate procedures:

1. A doctor confirms the death and issues a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (commonly called the "white form", Form 18)
2. The hospital temporarily stores the body in its mortuary
3. The family should notify a funeral director within 24 hours to arrange body transport
4. Hospital social workers typically provide initial guidance on funeral arrangements

Note: Public hospital mortuaries generally store bodies free of charge for approximately 3 days, after which fees apply. Private hospital arrangements vary — inquire early.

Death at Home

If your loved one passes away at home:

1. Call 999 immediately — this is a legal requirement, even if the death was expected
2. Police will attend the scene, and upon confirming no suspicious circumstances, will arrange for a government doctor or refer for autopsy
3. If the cause of death is clear (e.g., chronic illness), police will arrange issuance of the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death
4. If the cause is unknown, the body will be sent to the public mortuary for forensic examination

Important: Do not move the body or change clothing before police arrive. This does not imply any suspicion — it is simply a legal procedural requirement.

Accidental Death or Unknown Cause

If your loved one dies from an accident, suicide, or unknown causes:

• The body will be sent to the public mortuary for forensic examination
• Autopsy may take several days to weeks
• The Coroner will decide whether an inquest is necessary
• During this period, funeral arrangements cannot proceed, though you can begin consulting funeral directors

Chapter 2: Obtaining the Death Certificate

Death Registration

After receiving the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death, the family must register the death at a Death Registry within 24 hours. Required documents:

• Original Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death
• The deceased's HKID card or passport
• The informant's HKID card

Death Registry Locations

There are three Death Registry offices in Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong Island: 3/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Admiralty
  Tel: 2867 2784
• Kowloon: 3/F, Hoi Fung Building, 140 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
  Tel: 2368 1247
• New Territories: 1/F, Fanling Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling
  Tel: 2677 3300

Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:45am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:45pm (closed on weekends and public holidays).

Registration is free. Upon completion, you receive a Certified Copy of the Entry of Death (commonly called the "Death Certificate"), costing HK$140 per copy. We recommend obtaining at least 3 copies for banking, insurance, and property matters.

Why You Should Register Promptly

Death registration is a prerequisite for everything that follows — without the Death Certificate, you cannot apply for a cremation or burial permit, nor process estate matters or insurance claims.

Chapter 3: Choosing a Funeral Director

Licensing Requirements

In Hong Kong, all funeral directors must hold a licence from FEHD to operate legally. There are two types:

• List A Licence: Can arrange and conduct all funeral services, including body transport, embalming, hall arrangement, and funeral procession
• List B Licence: Can only arrange certain aspects of funeral services; cannot directly handle bodies

We recommend choosing a List A licensed funeral director for one-stop service. You can check the Register of Licensed Undertakers on the FEHD website.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Funeral Director

1. Do you hold a List A licence?
2. Can you arrange the religious ceremony we need?
3. What does the total cost include? Are there any hidden charges?
4. Can you provide a written, itemised quotation?
5. What is the funeral parlour availability? What is the earliest available date?
6. What options are available for ash placement?
7. Do you handle government paperwork (e.g., cremation permit application)?

Pricing Red Flags

Some unscrupulous funeral directors attract clients with extremely low "starting prices," then add charges throughout the process. We recommend:

• Insist on a written, itemised quotation
• Confirm whether the quote includes all essential items (body transport, cosmetic preparation, coffin, hall decoration, etc.)
• Compare quotations from at least two or three funeral directors
• Ask about any surcharges or potential additional costs

Chapter 4: Types of Funeral Ceremonies

Buddhist Ceremonies

Buddhist funerals are the most common religious ceremonies in Hong Kong. Key elements include:

• Vigil (設靈): Wake held at a funeral parlour hall
• Sutra Chanting (誦經): Monks recite Buddhist scriptures (commonly the Earth Store Sutra, Amitabha Sutra, Diamond Sutra, etc.)
• Merit Transfer Rites: Ceremonies to help the deceased reach the Pure Land
• Seven-Day Rites (做七): Ceremonies held every seven days for 49 days

Cost reference: HK$20,000 – HK$80,000 (depending on number of monks and ceremony scale)

Taoist Ceremonies

Taoist rituals are a vital part of traditional Hong Kong funerals, rich in symbolism:

• Breaking Hell (破地獄): Taoist priests perform rites to "open the gates of hell" for the deceased
• Carrying the Banner and Buying Water (擔幡買水): Family members fetch water to cleanse the deceased
• Crossing the Bridge (過橋): Guiding the soul across the Bridge of Helplessness
• Walking the Five Directions (走五方): The soul pays respects to the gods of the five directions

Cost reference: HK$15,000 – HK$60,000 (depending on number of priests and duration)

Christian / Catholic Ceremonies

Christian and Catholic funeral services are comparatively simple:

• Memorial service / Requiem Mass
• Led by a pastor or priest, with scripture readings and sermons
• Eulogies by friends and family
• Hymns and worship

Cost reference: HK$15,000 – HK$40,000

Secular / Non-Religious Ceremonies

An increasing number of families opt for non-religious farewell ceremonies, using a modern, personalised approach to remember the departed. These may include memorial videos, shared memories from friends and family, and other personal touches. Costs are relatively lower, approximately HK$10,000 – HK$30,000.

Chapter 5: Funeral Parlour Booking

Hong Kong's Seven Licensed Funeral Parlours

Hong Kong currently has only seven licensed funeral parlours (licensed by FEHD), mainly concentrated in the Hung Hom and North Point areas:

Booking Notes:

• Funeral parlours are not operated by funeral directors — funeral directors book halls on behalf of clients
• During peak seasons (after Lunar New Year, around Ching Ming), waiting times may be longer
• Hall rental typically costs HK$5,000 – HK$30,000 per night, depending on the parlour and hall size
• Most families choose one or two nights of vigil

Chapter 6: The Cremation Process

Applying for Cremation

Cremation is by far the most common method of body disposition in Hong Kong (over 92% of cases). To apply:

1. Obtain the Death Certificate
2. Have your funeral director apply to FEHD for a Cremation Permit
3. Book a government crematorium slot

Six Government Crematoria

• Cape Collinson Crematorium (Chai Wan) — the largest in Hong Kong
• Diamond Hill Crematorium (Diamond Hill)
• Kwai Chung Crematorium (Kwai Chung)
• Fu Shan Crematorium (Hung Hom)
• Wo Hop Shek Crematorium (Fanling)
• Cheung Chau Crematorium (Cheung Chau) — smaller, primarily serving island residents

The government cremation fee is HK$2,280 (2024-2025), a standard charge set by FEHD. Typical waiting time is 7 to 14 days.

What Happens on Cremation Day

1. The body is transported to the crematorium by the funeral director
2. Family members wait in the waiting room (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours)
3. After cremation, ashes are collected
4. Ashes are placed in an urn and taken away by the family or funeral director

Chapter 7: Ash Placement Options

Government Columbarium Niches

Government columbarium niches, managed by FEHD, are significantly cheaper than private options:

• Standard niche fee: HK$3,200 – HK$4,800
• Allocated through a computerised ballot — long waiting times
• Currently approximately 440,000 government niches across multiple facilities

Private Columbarium Niches

Private options offer more choices but with vast price differences:

• Typical private niche: HK$30,000 – HK$200,000+
• Some are located in temples or Taoist monasteries with religious services
• Important: Always verify that the private columbarium holds a valid FEHD licence

Memorial Garden Scattering

FEHD maintains 13 memorial gardens across Hong Kong where ashes can be scattered free of charge. This is the most economical and environmentally friendly option, and is growing in popularity.

Sea Scattering

FEHD provides a free sea scattering service in designated waters (east of Tung Lung Chau, south of West Lamma Channel, west of Lantau Island). Families can join FEHD-organised group scattering sessions or hire their own vessel.

Chapter 8: Cost Overview

Basic Cost Items

Total Cost Reference

• Most economical (no religious ceremony, simple cremation): HK$15,000 – HK$25,000
• Standard package (one-night vigil, basic religious ceremony): HK$30,000 – HK$60,000
• Mid-range package (two-night vigil, full religious ceremony): HK$60,000 – HK$120,000
• Premium package (multi-night vigil, elaborate rituals, luxury hall): HK$120,000 – HK$300,000+

Chapter 9: Government Support and Subsidies

CSSA Funeral Grant

Families receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) can apply for a funeral expenses grant, currently capped at HK$18,120 (2024-2025). Apply through your local Social Welfare Department office.

Civil Service Funeral Allowance

Families of serving or retired civil servants can apply for a funeral allowance. The specific amount depends on the officer's rank and years of service. Contact the relevant department's personnel section.

Other Assistance

• Chinese Temples Fund and various charities provide financial assistance for funeral expenses
• Some funeral directors offer instalment payment plans
• If the deceased had life insurance, submit a claim as early as possible

Chapter 10: Important Phone Numbers and Resources

Conclusion

Arranging a funeral is an overwhelming process, but you do not have to face it alone. A competent funeral director will walk you through every step, handle the complex paperwork, and give you more time to grieve and remember your loved one with your family.

If you are going through this process now, or wish to prepare for the future, we recommend bookmarking this guide. If you have any questions, you are welcome to use our funeral director directory to find the right service provider for your needs.