At this difficult time there are a number of practical and legal requirements involved in processing a death in Hong Kong. Consulates are a useful source of information and assistance for expatriates although they will not normally provide any financial assistance.

• the Hong Kong Immigration Department provides an overview of the legal process: Click here

Reporting and Registering a Death

As soon as a death occurs notify the police and/or the local doctor who has previously attended the deceased. There is a legal requirement to register a death within 24 hours of its occurrence. 

The doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (also known as form 18). This has identification of the deceased and basic details concerning the death. If death occurred in hospital the hospital authorities will see to this paperwork. The police or ambulance service will then transport the deceased to a public mortuary.

Note: autopsies are common and may be carried out if there is doubt as to the cause of death.

In the event of any suspicious circumstances it may be necessary to inform the police in which case the death will be reported to the coroner.

Where there is no need to involve the coroner, a relative of the deceased must then register the death with the Registry Office in the district where death occurred. Some police stations also have facilities for registering deaths. In emergencies (for example on Sundays and Public Holidays) the Births and Deaths General Register Office is open for a short period in the morning.

• To find a local registry office: Click here

The following documentation is required:

• the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death signed by the doctor
• identification documents for the deceased including their Hong Kong ID Card, passport and any other forms of ID available
• identification documents for the person reporting and registering the death
• any other information should be taken if available such as birth certificate, marriage certificate. The Registrar will ask for details of occupation and nationality as well

There is currently no fee for the death registration but fees are charged for copies of the registration if these are required.

It is common but not a legal requirement to register a death with the relevant consulate in Hong Kong. It can provide its own paperwork regarding the death of a citizen overseas and this may be useful for insurance companies.

The Funeral

There are professional establishments that will attend to all aspects of the funeral service including paperwork and applying for cemetery plots. If a body is to be repatriated they can also arrange for embalming. They can also conduct services for just about any religious denomination – often on their premises. There are currently no laws regarding time constraints for funerals and cremations – many traditional families observe a period of mourning of up to 10 days before a funeral service.

It is still customary for westerners to wear black at funerals although local people have their own customs. In China, white is the colour of death and mourners at traditional Chinese funerals will often wear white cloaks, sometimes with a black ribbon.

There are essentially four choices for the disposal of the body: cremation or burial in Hong Kong, cremation in Hong Kong and then shipment of the ashes to another destination, or embalming and preparation of the body for shipment elsewhere (the most expensive option).

• The Consulate General of the United States website provides some addresses of funeral homes which have been recommended by their citizens: Click here

Burial

Traditionally, burial is important and the location of burial is even more important. But in Hong Kong space is limited and burial plots are seldom permanent. Often someone may be buried for a few years and then cremated. This is referred to as second burial. Sometimes the remains are re-buried rather than cremated.

It is also common for burials to be delayed, with some people taking note of horoscopes and burying the body only at the "best" time.

More recently there has been a trend towards using "Eco-Coffins". They are made of corrugated cardboard and if cremation is to follow are much cheaper and also burn much more quickly so are more ecologically friendly. The Government supports this initiative.

Cremation

If the deceased is to be cremated then a relative should contact the Department of Health and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the joint offices of the Births and Deaths General Register Office (Hong Kong Island Deaths Registry) or the Births and Deaths General Register Office (Kowloon Deaths Registry).

• For details of the Registry Offices: Click here

Cremation immediately following death is now the most frequent choice. However, there are limited facilities available for cremation and there can be a two-week wait at times.

Ashes are often deposited in public columbaria which are specially designed to be a beautiful and dignified resting place. Some people keep ashes at home or scatter them in one of the government's Gardens of Remembrance. Both practices are legally accepted. Ashes may also be shipped overseas which is now a common practice as many Chinese families have moved away from Hong Kong and custom tends to be for the ashes of the parents to remain with the family.

A funeral home can manage the shipment of ashes if preferred. Alternatively, they may be carried by an individual with the correct paperwork, as detailed below.

Repatriation

It is recommended to consult the relevant consulate for advice on repatriation. If the remains are to be shipped to the United States, for example, the Consulate will issue a Consular Mortuary Certificate that will accompany the remains.

If a body is to be removed from Hong Kong it is necessary to apply for a Permit for Removal of a Body From Hong Kong. This can be done by means of an application form (SF/BDR/3). Ask about applying when registering the death. At the same time, make sure that to the body will be allowed into the country to which it is being repatriated. In some cases the authorities will not grant the permission for removal until they have seen that permission for import elsewhere has been granted. The applicant will be asked to supply personal details of the deceased and information regarding when and where death occurred. In addition information about the destination of the body will be required.

Embalming is required for a body being repatriated and can take about a week. The mortuary will provide a certificate stating that the body has been embalmed in accordance with local practice and that only human remains are in the casket.

If repatriating cremated remains, an official death certificate with an English translation, a cremation certificate and an exit permit issued by the local quarantine service must accompany the cremated remains. Again the funeral home can assist in obtaining this paperwork.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Suicide for personal reasons is not perceived as a good idea nor is it considered honourable under Chinese custom. The general belief is that there is life after death even for those without a strong religious faith.

There have been various debates on legalisation of euthanasia but the authorities have always claimed that it is not a pressing issue in Hong Kong as it perhaps is elsewhere. It is, however, accepted practice to withhold or withdraw treatment in various situations such as in Intensive Care Units. However, health professionals will not assist with suicide.

The current legal position is therefore that euthanasia is not permitted and anyone assisting in a suicide could be charged with murder.

Further Information

• Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong
• Canadian Consulate
• Australian Embassy
• British Consulate-General, Hong Kong

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