When a loved one passes away, every step of handling the aftermath is emotionally draining. On top of that, the funeral service procedures in Hong Kong are complex, involving a series of steps from death registration, funeral hall arrangement, vigil taboos to ashes placement. Each process has its own specifics.
Whether you want to know about traditional funeral taboos, look for cost-effective Hong Kong funeral service packages, or care about the procedures for ashes placement, this 2025 Hong Kong Funeral Services Guide can provide you with guidance, helping you avoid detours during this difficult time.
I. Initial Arrangements for Hong Kong Funeral Services:
Death can be divided into natural death and unnatural death, with differences in the procedures for handling each:
– Natural death: The attending doctor will issue a “Medical Certificate of Cause of Death”. If cremation is planned, the doctor will additionally issue a “Medical Certificate (for Cremation)”.
The family members need to bring the deceased’s ID card and the above-mentioned death certificates to the relevant government departments to apply for a death certificate (visit the Births and Deaths Registry, Hong Kong) and a permit for cremation or burial (from the website of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)).
– Unnatural death (sudden death, death of unknown cause, or accidental death such as death from poisoning, violence, etc.): In such cases, it is necessary to report to the Coroner (call the 999 emergency hotline to inform the police;
after the police arrive and conduct a preliminary investigation, the case will be referred to the Coroner’s Office, and all procedures must comply with the provisions of the Coroners Ordinance). Only after the Coroner issues a “Certificate Authorizing the Burial of a Body” can the family members apply to the FEHD for cremation or burial of the remains.
After completing the above procedures, contact a funeral parlour to book relevant funeral services.
Note: Before deciding which funeral company to entrust, family members should properly keep the deceased’s ID card and relevant death certificates, and must not casually hand them over to others or let them be taken away under any pretext, to avoid being constrained when handling procedures and arranging the funeral later.
II. Finding a Suitable Funeral Service Company
When discussing funeral matters with Hong Kong funeral service providers, even in grief, one should remain calm and not rush to sign the “Entrustment Letter” or pay a deposit.
We recommend that family members inquire with multiple service providers, then discuss with family members before making a decision. Because according to industry insiders, according to current industry rules, once a business calls a funeral parlour to book a room or hall, it cannot be changed.
How to choose a suitable funeral service company? Consider the following factors:
– Choose a licensed company
Funeral service companies should hold an operating licence issued by the FEHD. For example, White Lily’s funeral licence number: 2461800081.
Features of Hong Kong funeral service company licences: At present, the number of licensed funeral service providers in Hong Kong has reached saturation, and the government no longer issues new licences.
Licensed funeral service companies must strictly abide by the conditions stated in the licence during operation, and all service links must comply with hygiene and safety laws and regulations. The FEHD will conduct regular inspections on licensees to confirm whether the services meet the standards and whether the hygiene environment meets the standards. In case of serious violations, the licence will be revoked.
– Choose a one-stop service company
Since funeral matters are cumbersome, to avoid cooperating with multiple companies, it is best to choose a company that can provide one-stop services, and the service packages can be adjusted according to needs, which can reflect the company’s industry experience and professionalism.
Service contents can include: church contact, funeral coordination, purchase of ashes urns, grief counselling, etc.
– Clear charges
Request a detailed quotation listing all charges (such as rent, ceremony fees, etc.) to avoid hidden costs.
– Communication efficiency
A professional funeral company will respond to family members patiently and promptly, which can reflect the training level and service attitude of the service staff.
– Respect for customs
Find out whether the funeral company is familiar with the required religious rituals and can arrange according to relevant customs. For example, some companies in Hong Kong provide funeral services for different religions and customs.
There are also professional Christian funeral service companies in Hong Kong like White Lily — if the family members or the deceased are Christians, such companies are highly recommended because they are most familiar with every detail of religious rituals and can avoid violating taboos.
Note: Family members need to confirm the miscellaneous charges such as funeral hall decoration, paper offerings, service fees item by item, and request them to be listed on the receipt. When choosing a package, ask about the specific contents and pay attention to whether there are hidden costs.
III. Body Handling and Funeral Hall Preparation
The body is transported from the hospital or home to the funeral parlour by undertakers for makeup and changing clothes.
Then, the funeral hall is decorated according to religious or personal habits, and relatives and friends are notified of the time for the vigil and funeral procession.
– Christian / Catholic: A solemn venue is chosen, with a cross hung in the centre. Fresh flowers (such as lilies, white roses) are placed next to the deceased’s portrait. The altar is only set with candles, a Bible and a cross, and no food offerings are placed.
Bible verses can be posted on the walls, hymns can be played, and a holy water basin and communion cup for the pastor to preside over the ceremony are prepared. Paper offerings are forbidden.
IV. Holding the Funeral Ceremony
The ceremony is held according to religious beliefs or personal choices. After relatives and friends pay their respects, the family members give a thank-you speech to complete the farewell part.
– Recommendation of Christian funeral service companies:
White Lily is a licensed funeral company in Hong Kong, specializing in Christian funeral services. The company can organize Christian funerals for family members in churches or Hong Kong funeral parlours. Based on professional services, it accompanies family members through the difficult time of losing a loved one with sincere care, and strives to reduce the pressure on grieving family members.
Its service scope covers pre-arrangement, handling of government documents, obituary writing, and post-funeral grief support, providing comprehensive and thoughtful assistance, taking care of every detail.
Each service process strictly follows the faith tradition, allowing family members to bid farewell to the deceased in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere.
V. Funeral Procession and Burial
On the day of the funeral procession, the body is transported to the crematorium or cemetery, accompanied by family members and relatives.
– Cremation arrangements:
It is necessary to book a furnace position in advance through the funeral company at the crematorium under the FEHD. Once the time is confirmed, it cannot be changed (a fee will be charged for cancellation). The staff of the crematorium will check the death certificate and cremation permit, then send the body into the cremator. Family members can observe the process in the designated area. Cremation takes about 2-3 hours, and after completion, family members collect the ashes with their documents.
– Burial arrangements:
Apply to the FEHD for a public cemetery plot, or contact a private cemetery, submit documents such as the death certificate and ID card, and pay the cemetery usage fee and management fee. The coffin is transported to the cemetery at the scheduled time, and the staff assists in the burial and related ceremonies. After the burial is completed, the family members receive the cemetery certificate and pay the management fee regularly.
– Christian burial ceremony:
The pastor reads Bible verses (commonly used ones include Genesis 3:19 “You are dust, and to dust you will return” and John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life”), leads everyone in prayer, asks God to comfort the family members, and blesses the deceased’s soul to rest in peace. Family members can briefly share the deceased’s faith testimony.
The pastor leads the family members to take soil with a small shovel in turn, sprinkle it gently on the coffin, and recite the prayer at the same time: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may you sleep in peace and wait for the day of resurrection”. Afterwards, the pastor offers a closing prayer, praying that God will take care of the family members, and finally declares the end of the ceremony with “Amen”. Then, the staff slowly lowers the coffin into the grave and begins to fill and seal the grave.
VI. Follow-up Matters
Handle the ashes (such as placing them in an urn, sea burial, etc.), and go through legal procedures such as insurance claims and inheritance.
– Ashes handling methods:
– Placing in an urn
– Public columbarium: You can apply for storage at the crematorium or cemetery under the FEHD, submit the ashes collection certificate and ID card, and pay the annual fee as required (usually several hundred Hong Kong dollars).
– Private columbarium: You can also choose to store in a formal private columbarium.
– Home placement: According to customs, place the ashes urn in a quiet place, avoiding direct sunlight.
– Sea burial arrangements
Apply to the FEHD for sea burial service, book a designated date. Family members need to bring the ashes and relevant certificates to board the ship, and the staff will assist in completing the scattering ceremony in the designated sea area. Sea burial is free of charge but needs to be booked several months in advance.
– Other methods
On the premise of complying with laws and regulations, some families will scatter the ashes in the suburbs that the deceased loved during his lifetime, or make ashes into commemorative items (such as ashes beads, ashes paintings, etc.).
– Handling legal procedures:
– Insurance claims: Family members sort out the deceased’s life insurance and medical insurance policies, submit the death certificate, beneficiary’s ID card, insurance contract to the insurance company, and fill in the claim application form. After verification, the insurance company will pay the compensation. If there is a dispute, it can be mediated through the Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau.
– Inheritance: If there is a will, it is necessary to apply to the High Court for a “Grant of Probate”, submit the original will, death certificate, and heir’s ID card. After approval, handle the asset transfer. If there is no will, according to the Intestates’ Estates Ordinance, the legal heirs (spouse, children, parents, etc.) apply to the court for a “Grant of Letters of Administration” to prove the right of inheritance before handling the inheritance. For real estate involved, it is necessary to go to the Land Registry for transfer registration.
