Application for new niches at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium to open from May 11

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (April 27) that the Department will allocate some 10,000 new extendable niches at Block A, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, Fanling, which will be open for application from May 11 to June 10.
 
     An FEHD spokesman said, "Further to the previous allocation of some 20,000 niches at Block B, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, in 2021, the FEHD will launch a new round of niche allocation exercise. A total of 10,900 extendable niches including 10,657 standard niches (5,730 smoke-free niches and 4,927 non-smoke-free niches) and 243 large niches (120 smoke-free niches and 123 non-smoke-free niches) at Block A, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, will be allocated. If the number of applications exceeds the quantity of niches available for allocation in Block A, a corresponding quantity of niches in Block B will be supplemented for allocation."
 
     The FEHD will only process one application for each deceased in any application period. Applicants should only file one application form to apply for either a large niche or standard niche for the same deceased person. When applying for a large niche, the applicant has to fill in at least three deceased persons' particulars in the application form. When applying for a standard niche, the applicant has to fill in at least one deceased person's particulars.
 
     The spokesman said, "In order to expedite the allocation process, the priorities of successful applicants for niche allocation and the designated niches assigned to them are to be determined by drawing of lots and computer random balloting. The niches will not be chosen by the applicants themselves. The successful applicants can make use of the niche location enquiry system on the FEHD website to enquire as to the location of the niches concerned. If the applicant decides to take up the designated niche, he or she must complete the relevant formalities and settle the payments at the Public Niche Allocation Office according to the scheduled date and time."
 
     To encourage co-location of ashes and take into consideration those who have failed in the last annual niche allocation exercise (excluding the record for monthly niche allocations), these two categories of applicants, if meeting the criteria for the respective category, will be given an additional ballot paper under that category to enhance the chance of successful balloting. In exceptional cases, for applicants who were unsuccessful in the most recent two annual niche allocation exercises, two additional ballot papers will be allotted under that category, and so on.
 
     As regards the ash interment period, the initial interment period is 20 years after allocation of a niche to the applicant and can be extended at 10-year intervals thereafter. On expiry of the 20-year/10-year interment period, as long as the related persons confirm extension of the interment period and pay the prevailing prescribed fee, the use of the allocated niche can be continued.
 
     The spokesman added, "Since the quantity of each type of niche (standard/large; smoke-free/non-smoke-free) available for allocation in the columbarium is different, the chance of successful allocation varies. When deciding the type of niche to be selected for application, applicants should make reference to relevant information in the application form for assessing the chance of successful allocation."
 
     Starting from May 11, application forms can be downloaded from the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or obtained from the department's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department, or by fax via hotline 2841 9111. The completed application form together with copies of the required documents shall be submitted within the application period by fax (2333 1716), email (apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk), by post or in person to the FEHD's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office.
 
     The spokesman advises applicants to fill in the online application form and submit the application online so as to avoid postal delay or non-delivery.
  
     The FEHD will notify the successful applicants by SMS and email or post of the serial number of the designated niche allocated. Applicants can also check the results of their applications immediately after the drawing of lots and computer random balloting at the FEHD website or on the following day at Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, Public Niche Allocation Office, or through the enquiry hotline 2841 9111.
 
     Leaflets about the arrangement of this niche allocation exercise are available for collection from today at the department's Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. For details, please visit the FEHD website, or call 2841 9111 or email to enquiry_newniche@fehd.gov.hk.
 
     Information on the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices and Public Niche Allocation Office of the FEHD is as follows:
 
Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: 1J, Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel: 2570 4318
Fax: 2591 1879
 
Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
Tel: 2365 5321
Fax: 2176 4963
 
Public Niche Allocation Office
Address: Units 3501-3511 & 3520-3525, 35/F, Tower 1, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, NT
Tel: 2330 5635
Fax: 2333 1716