Pick up the remains of our ancestors,
Shipped to Mainland China .
1
*Removing debris and filling graves*
What should be done if the bones are not completely decomposed?
(Explanation of the hanging coffin)
If the remains of the deceased fail to decompose completely, and it is determined by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff or cemetery staff that they cannot decompose in a short period of time, then hanging coffin treatment is required.
Hanging coffins refer to the process where, if the remains of the deceased have not completely decomposed, an application can be made to move the remains into a brand new coffin before sending them to a crematorium for cremation.
The main situations in which skeletons cannot be completely decomposed include the following two:
Mummification (solidification): The deceased's body has become a mummified corpse and cannot decompose naturally.
Undecomposed despite multiple reburials: The body failed to decompose completely even after at least two reburial procedures.
The application process for hanging coffins is as follows:
Submit an application to the relevant cemetery office. Once approved, contact the funeral home to arrange the process. The funeral home will send a professional with a brand-new coffin to the site. The columbarium worker will transfer the uncorrupted remains into the new coffin before sending them to the crematorium for cremation.
Application Procedures and Process for Hanging Coffins
When a deceased person has been buried in a public or private cemetery for less than six years and the body has not completely decomposed (e.g., mummified or not decomposed despite multiple reburials), and a hanging coffin treatment is required, the family may apply for such treatment.
Application Steps
Submit the required documents
Draft the application letter for hanging coffin.
Fill out the application form.
Please present original and copies of relevant documents, including the death certificate and proof of kinship. If you are unable to present these documents, you must take an oath at the office.
Pay the fee for the bone collection permit.
Apply in person
The applicant must go in person to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s cemetery and crematorium offices in Hung Hom or Happy Valley with a staff member of the funeral home (the staff member must carry the company seal) to complete the procedures.
Obtaining approval documents
After receiving the bone collection permit and approval letter from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the applicant can proceed to the next step.
Arrangements for cremation
Applicants may pay the cremation fee and arrange a cremation date in person or together with a staff member of the licensed funeral home (the staff member must carry the company seal) to the cremation booking office at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices or Wu Chung Building, Wan Chai.
Monitoring the process of hanging the coffin
Within 14 working days after completing the above procedures, the applicant will be invited to observe the coffin-hanging process together with staff from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
Special Notes
If the deceased has been buried for less than a year, the applicant must first apply to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for a permit and approval letter to collect remains, then go to the Harbour Health Division to apply for a cremation permit, and finally return to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to apply for hanging coffin and cremation.