Not so long ago, Hong Kong faced an acute shortage of burial places. Amid an ageing population it had to be addressed with some urgency.
Previous administrations stepped up efforts to build more columbariums. The shortage of niches may be less of a problem now, but the demand remains strong and will grow over time.
That is why it is good that the authorities released 16,150 new public columbarium niches on May 19 and will soon open many more.
In a sign of the times, 6,050 niches will be located in a smoke-free facility where the burning of joss sticks and incense offerings will be prohibited to meet the environmental concerns of local residents, as well as a requirement from local government to comply with environmentally friendly principles.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department says Hong Kong residents have a month from May 19 to apply for the 4,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, as well as the 6,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium and Shek Mun Columbarium.
The Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson-San Ha facilities have a 50 per cent smoke-free policy. The scheduled completion of the smoke-free, 23,000-square-metre, three-storey Shek Mun Columbarium this year will offer another 40,000 niches, along with a garden for scattering ashes and 300 spaces for miscarried fetuses.
