How to Handle a Death in HK: Step-by-Step

Introduction: Facing the Hardest Moment

Losing someone you love is one of the most painful experiences in life. In the midst of grief, you may also have to navigate a maze of paperwork, decisions, and unfamiliar procedures. This guide exists so you know exactly what needs to happen, who to contact, and where to go at each step — giving you a clear path to follow when everything else feels chaotic.

You don't have to do this alone. Lean on family and friends, and let a funeral director handle most of the administrative tasks. Below is a complete, chronological walkthrough of the process.

The First Few Hours: Immediate Steps

Scenario 1: Death in Hospital (Most Common)

Approximately 70% of deaths in Hong Kong occur in hospitals. If your loved one passes away in hospital:

1. A doctor will certify the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
2. Nursing staff will assist with basic care of the body
3. Hospital staff will inform you of the procedures and next steps
4. You may stay with your loved one for a period — there is no need to leave immediately
5. The hospital will typically provide an information sheet outlining what to do next

What you need to do:

• Collect the MCCD from the hospital (this is essential for death registration)
• Decide whether to contact a funeral director to arrange body transport
• Notify immediate family members

Scenario 2: Death at Home

If your loved one passes away at home:

1. Call 999 immediately for police and ambulance
2. Paramedics will attend and confirm the death
3. Police will arrive to assess the situation — this is standard procedure and does not imply any suspicion
4. If the deceased had recent medical records, their attending doctor may be able to issue an MCCD
5. If the cause of death is unclear, the body may be taken to a public mortuary for a post-mortem examination by a forensic pathologist

Important: Do not move the body before police and paramedics arrive. This is a legal requirement.

Scenario 3: Unexpected or Accidental Death

If the death involves an accident, suicide, or suspicious circumstances:

• Police will investigate
• The body will be sent to a public mortuary
• A coroner will determine whether an inquest is needed
• The body will not be released to the family until investigations are complete
• This process can take weeks to months, depending on the complexity

In such situations, consider consulting a funeral director or legal advisor early on to understand your rights and what arrangements can be made in the meantime.

Scenario 4: Death Overseas

If your loved one dies outside Hong Kong:

1. Contact the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate (or relevant consulate if outside mainland China)
2. Register the death locally
3. Decide whether to repatriate the body to Hong Kong, or arrange cremation locally and bring back the ashes
4. Repatriation involves multiple procedures: embalming, transport permits, customs documentation, and more
5. Costs can be very substantial — check whether travel insurance provides coverage

Body repatriation is complex. It's strongly recommended to engage a funeral company that specialises in international repatriation.

Days 1-3: Administrative Procedures

Registering the Death

After a death occurs, you should register it at the Deaths Registry within 24 hours where practicable.

Deaths Registry locations:

• Hong Kong Island: 3/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Admiralty (covers HK Island and Islands)
• Kowloon: 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 60 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon City (covers Kowloon and New Territories)

Documents required:

• Original Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
• The deceased's identity document (HKID card)
• The informant's identity document

What you'll receive:

• A Certificate of Death Registration (commonly called the "death certificate")
• Order extra certified copies (approximately HK$140 each) — banks, insurance companies, and government agencies will all need them
• We recommend getting 5 to 10 copies to avoid having to order more later

Notifying Relevant Parties

After death registration, you should gradually notify the following:

You don't need to do all of this in the first few days. Prioritise the most urgent matters (like freezing bank accounts to prevent unauthorised withdrawals) and handle the rest over the coming weeks.

Days 1-7: Funeral Arrangements

Contacting a Funeral Director

Choosing a funeral director is an important decision. Here's what you should know:

Questions to ask when contacting a funeral director:

• What does the service package include? What is the cost?
• Can you provide an itemised quote? (Avoid bundled packages that include items you don't need)
• Can you help with death registration, cremation permits, and other paperwork?
• What funeral parlour halls are available and at what cost?
• Do you have experience with specific religious ceremonies (Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, etc.)?

Things to watch out for:

• Some funeral operators station staff near hospitals to solicit families at their most vulnerable moment. You have every right to decline and take time to compare options
• Prices vary widely — the same basic service can differ in price by several multiples between providers
• It helps to have one or two trusted, experienced relatives or friends with you when making decisions

Choosing a Ceremony Type

Common funeral ceremony types in Hong Kong:

• Buddhist ceremony — sutra chanting and rites conducted by monks
• Taoist ceremony — rituals performed by Taoist priests
• Christian/Catholic ceremony — memorial or funeral service led by a pastor or priest
• Non-religious ceremony — a memorial gathering focused on celebrating the person's life
• Simple arrangement — no public ceremony; proceed directly to cremation

The choice usually depends on the deceased's and family's religious beliefs and wishes. If you're unsure, consult with elder family members.

Booking a Funeral Parlour Hall

Major funeral parlours in Hong Kong include:

• Hong Kong Funeral Home (North Point) — one of the largest in Hong Kong
• Universal Funeral Parlour (Hung Hom)
• World Funeral Parlour (Hung Hom)
• Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour (Diamond Hill)
• Po Fook Memorial Hall (Tai Wai)

Hall rental fees range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars, depending on the size and time slot. Peak periods (e.g., around the seventh lunar month) may require earlier booking.

Other Funeral Arrangements

• Flower wreaths and arrangements — most funeral parlours offer ordering services; costs range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars
• Obituary notices — you may choose to publish a notice in the newspaper; costs vary by publication and size
• Venue setup — the funeral hall décor, portrait of the deceased, elegiac couplets, and other arrangements are typically coordinated by the funeral director

Condolence Money (Pak Kam) Etiquette

In Hong Kong funeral tradition, guests attending a funeral typically present condolence money (帛金, also known as 奠儀) as a gesture of respect for the deceased and support for the family.

Key etiquette points:

• The amount should be an odd number (e.g., HK$101, $501, $1,001) — odd numbers are considered indivisible, symbolising the wish that such occasions won't happen again
• Use a white or plain envelope, labelled with "奠儀" or "帛金"
• Write your full name on the envelope
• There is no fixed amount — friends and acquaintances typically give HK$100-500, while closer relatives give more
• The bereaved family usually reciprocates with a "lucky packet" (吉儀) containing a sweet and a one-dollar coin, symbolising sweetness and peace

Days 7-30: Post-Funeral Matters

Ash Collection and Placement

After cremation, you will need to collect and decide how to place the ashes. For a detailed breakdown of all ash placement options, see our dedicated article on "Cremation vs Burial in Hong Kong," covering government columbarium niches, private columbaria, memorial garden scattering, sea scattering, and more.

Probate and Estate Matters

Handling the deceased's estate is a longer process:

• Will — first, determine whether the deceased left a will. If there is a will, the executor handles the estate; if there is no will, you'll need to apply to the High Court for Letters of Administration
• Probate Registry — located in the Queensway Government Offices in Admiralty, this office handles probate matters
• Estate administration — only after obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration can you deal with the deceased's bank accounts, property, and other assets
• For complex estates, legal advice is recommended. Legal aid may be available in some circumstances

Cancelling Government Records and Documents

You'll need to handle the following government records:

MPF and Insurance Claims

• Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) — contact the deceased's MPF trustee to apply for withdrawal of the account balance. You'll need a death certificate copy and Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
• Life insurance — contact the insurer to submit a claim. Typically requires a death certificate copy, the policy, and a claim form
• Medical insurance — if there are outstanding medical expense claims, submit them within the stipulated deadline

Emotional Support

While handling the practical matters is important, looking after your own emotional health — and that of your family — is equally vital.

Emotional support resources in Hong Kong:

• The Samaritans — 24-hour hotline: 2389 2222
• Social Welfare Department Hotline — 2343 2255
• Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre — 24-hour crisis line: 18288
• Tung Wah Group of Hospitals CEASE Centre — bereavement support: 2884 0688
• The Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care — bereavement counselling and support groups

Grief is a process, and everyone's timeline is different. If you find yourself unable to sleep, having no appetite at all, or if your emotions are seriously affecting your daily life for an extended period, please don't hesitate to seek professional help.

Practical Checklist: At a Glance

Here's a checklist you can follow:

Immediate (Day 1)

• ☐ Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
• ☐ Notify immediate family
• ☐ Contact a funeral director (or take a day — there's no rush)

Days 1-3

• ☐ Register the death at the Deaths Registry
• ☐ Obtain the death certificate and extra certified copies (recommend 5-10)
• ☐ Notify the bank to freeze accounts
• ☐ Notify the employer
• ☐ Confirm funeral arrangements

Days 3-7

• ☐ Confirm the ceremony type and date
• ☐ Book the funeral parlour hall
• ☐ Arrange flower wreaths, obituary notices, etc.
• ☐ Notify friends and relatives of funeral details
• ☐ Prepare the deceased's portrait and hall setup

Days 7-30

• ☐ Collect ashes and arrange placement
• ☐ Begin estate proceedings (locate the will, consult a solicitor)
• ☐ Notify insurance companies and file claims
• ☐ Contact the MPF trustee
• ☐ Gradually cancel/update government records
• ☐ Pay attention to your own and your family's emotional wellbeing

Important Contacts

The pain of losing someone you love is beyond words. But please remember — you don't have to face this alone. Family, friends, professional funeral directors, and community support services are all there when you need them. Take it one step at a time. You can get through this.

The information in this article is for general reference only. Regulations and fees are subject to change. For the latest details, please visit the relevant government department websites.