Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ11: Waiting time for cremation service

        Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (March 10):

 

Question:

 

        I have received complaints about the long waiting time for cremation service provided by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), which could be as long as two weeks, rendering the complainants not being able to complete the funerals of their relatives expeditiously.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

 

(a)    of the average waiting time for cremation service provided by the FEHD in each of the past three years and how these figures compare with those of the South East Asian countries and the Mainland; and

 

(b)    whether it will adopt improvement measures to shorten the waiting time for cremation service; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

 

Reply:

 

Madam President

 

(a)    In 2001, 2002 and 2003, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) handled 26,937, 28,436 and 30,161 applications for cremation service respectively.  Given the large number of applications and that the time taken for cremation service to be provided depends on both the availability of cremation sessions and preference of applicants for the date available, information on the average waiting time for cremation service is not readily available. 

 

        FEHD does not have information on the waiting time for cremation service in South East Asian countries and the Mainland. 

 

(b)    The time that it takes for cremation service to be provided to an applicant depends on both the availability of cremation sessions at the time of application and the preference of the applicant.  For example, the period before and after Lunar New Year has traditionally been a peak season for cremation.  During this period, the duration between the submission of application and the actual date of cremation may be longer.  Moreover, some applicants may prefer a later cremation session to match the date they consider best for the cremation of the deceased, even though an earlier session is available. 

 

        To cope with the temporary increase in demand for cremation service during peak periods, FEHD has been arranging additional cremation sessions during these periods through redeployment of staff.  We are aware of a general increase in the public's demand for cremation service over the years.  As a long-term measure, FEHD has been gradually replacing old cremators with more efficient ones to make available more cremation sessions.  The replacement of cremators at the Kwai Chung Crematorium was completed in 2003.  Relevant works at the Fu Shan Crematorium are expected to complete in 2004.  Planning for upgrading of cremation facilities at other crematoria is also under way.

 

Ends/Wednesday, March 10, 2004

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