Government Crematorium Booking Guide in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Six Government Crematoria

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) operates six government crematoria across Hong Kong. Here are the details for each facility:

1. Cape Collinson Crematorium

• Address: 9 Cape Collinson Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
• Area: Chai Wan (Eastern Hong Kong Island)
• Phone: 2556 1377
• Hours: 08:30–18:00
• Notes: The only crematorium on Hong Kong Island, adjacent to Cape Collinson Cemetery

2. Diamond Hill Crematorium

• Address: 199 Po Kong Village Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
• Area: Diamond Hill (Kowloon)
• Phone: 2325 9996
• Hours: 08:30–18:00
• Notes: Located in the urban area with convenient transport, near Diamond Hill MTR Station

3. Kwai Chung Crematorium

• Address: 13 Wing Hau Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories
• Area: Kwai Chung (New Territories)
• Phone: 2614 4390
• Hours: 08:30–18:00
• Important: Services temporarily suspended since 14 August 2024 for cremator replacement and refurbishment works; expected to resume by end of 2027

4. Fu Shan Crematorium

• Address: Lower Shing Mun Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories
• Area: Tai Wai / Sha Tin (New Territories)
• Phone: 2699 5090
• Hours: 08:30–18:00
• Notes: Adjacent to Fu Shan Public Mortuary

5. Wo Hop Shek Crematorium

• Address: Kiu Tau Road, Wo Hop Shek, Fanling, New Territories
• Area: Fanling (Northern New Territories)
• Phone: 2675 5200
• Hours: 08:30–18:00
• Notes: The largest crematorium in Hong Kong, adjacent to Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and Columbarium

6. Cheung Chau Crematorium

• Address: Cheung Chau Peak Road West, Sai Wan, Cheung Chau
• Area: Cheung Chau (Outlying Islands)
• Phone: 2981 5177
• Hours: 08:30–17:30
• Notes: Primarily serves Cheung Chau residents; smaller in scale

How to Book Cremation Services

There are two main ways to book government cremation services:

In-Person Booking (Cremation Booking Office)

Applicants must bring the required documents and visit one of the two booking offices in person:

• Hong Kong office: 18/F, Wu Chung House, Wan Chai (Tel: 2961 8842)
• Kowloon office: 1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices (Tel: 2150 7502)

Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:15am–12:30pm & 2:00pm–4:30pm; Sat 9:15am–12:30pm

Important: The applicant must be accompanied by a representative of a licensed undertaker when making the booking.

Online Booking

The FEHD also provides an online cremation booking service through their website:

• Link: FEHD Online Cremation Booking Service
• Online booking also requires coordination with a licensed undertaker

Documents Required for Booking

• Completed Application for Private Cremation form
• Certificate of Registration of Death
• Cremation Permit
• Copy of Hong Kong Identity Card or passport of the deceased, applicant, and authorised person
• Contact information of a trustee or relative (if the applicant is not a relative)

Booking Timeline and Availability

Waiting times for cremation services vary depending on several factors:

• Typical waiting time: 7 to 15 calendar days
• Applicants can book an unallocated session within 15 calendar days from the date of application
• Sessions are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

Peak Periods

Demand for cremation services increases significantly during the following periods, and waiting times may be longer:

• Around Ching Ming Festival (early April): Many families wish to complete cremation before this traditional grave-sweeping festival
• Around Chung Yeung Festival (October): Another traditional ancestor-remembrance period
• Before Chinese New Year: Some families prefer to settle affairs before the new year
• Winter months (December–February): Higher mortality rates among the elderly increase overall demand

If your schedule allows flexibility, consider booking at less popular crematoria or during off-peak periods to reduce waiting time.

Cremation Fees

Payment: The cremation service fee must be paid at the time of application.

What Happens on Cremation Day

Understanding the cremation day process helps families prepare emotionally and logistically:

Arrival and Registration

1. Family members and the funeral director's representative arrive at the crematorium at the scheduled time
2. Check in at the reception desk and present the required documents
3. Staff verify the identity of the coffin and the deceased

Cremation Process

1. Staff transport the coffin into the cremation chamber
2. The cremation process takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
3. Family members can rest in the waiting area; some crematoria have a small canteen

Session Schedule

Government crematoria operate multiple cremation sessions per day, typically divided into morning and afternoon slots. The exact schedule will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Collection of Ashes

After cremation is complete, here is what to expect regarding the ashes:

• Staff will process and place the ashes into an urn
• Family members can typically collect the ashes at the designated time following cremation
• If you cannot collect immediately, the ashes can be placed in the crematorium's temporary storage facility
• The first two months of storage are free; thereafter, a monthly fee of HK$80 applies
• You must present the "Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes" when collecting

Tips for Choosing the Right Crematorium

When selecting a crematorium, consider the following factors:

Location

• Choose a crematorium close to the family's home for convenience of attendance and future visits
• If holding a funeral service at a funeral parlour first, consider a crematorium nearby

Transport Accessibility

• Diamond Hill Crematorium: Near the MTR station — most convenient by public transport
• Cape Collinson Crematorium: Accessible by bus or minibus
• Fu Shan Crematorium: Near Tai Wai MTR Station
• Wo Hop Shek Crematorium: Accessible by green minibus from Fanling Station

Waiting Time

• Urban crematoria (Diamond Hill, Cape Collinson) tend to be more popular with longer waiting times
• New Territories crematoria (Fu Shan, Wo Hop Shek) generally have shorter waiting times

Family Convenience

• Some crematoria have better-equipped waiting facilities than others
• For elderly or mobility-impaired family members, choose a location with easy transport access
• If many relatives and friends will attend, choose a crematorium with a more spacious waiting area

Note: Kwai Chung Crematorium is currently suspended until the end of 2027 — do not select this facility when booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend the cremation?

Family members are welcome to accompany the deceased to the crematorium and be present during the handover of the coffin to staff. However, you cannot enter the cremation chamber itself. Instead, you will wait in the designated area until the process is complete. Many families use this time for quiet reflection or prayer.

What happens if I miss my booked cremation session?

If you miss your booked session without prior notice, the session will be forfeited and you will need to rebook. The service fee already paid may not be refundable. If you know in advance that you need to change the date, contact the Cremation Booking Office as early as possible to discuss rescheduling options.

Can I bring religious items or personal belongings into the coffin?

Small personal items may be placed in the coffin, but there are restrictions on certain materials that may interfere with the cremation process or cause environmental pollution. Metal objects, glass, and hazardous materials are generally not permitted. Check with your funeral director about specific items you wish to include, as they will be familiar with the crematorium's current regulations.

How long can ashes be stored at the crematorium?

After cremation, the first two months of temporary storage are free of charge. After that, a monthly fee of HK$80 applies. There is a maximum storage period, so families should make arrangements for permanent ash placement as soon as practical. Options include government or private columbarium niches, memorial garden scattering, or sea scattering.