Press Releases
HWFB delegation studies cremation in Japan (with photos)
The Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Food and Environmental
Hygiene), Mrs Carrie Yau, today (November 21) visited an environment-friendly
coffin company in Japan to study the country's cremation policy and practice as
well as their applicability in Hong Kong.
During her visit, Mrs Yau asked about eco-coffins, which are made of corrugated
cardboard and what was the market response. She learned that the amount of toxic
gas generated during combustion of the eco-coffin was less than that of a
traditional coffin.
The time required for each cremation was much less than traditional coffin
commonly used in Hong Kong. The average time for each session in Hong Kong's
public crematorium is about 2.5 hours, compared to less than one hour in Japan.
Both Japan and Hong Kong are short of suitable sites for crematoria. The
authorities had to study means to improve the performance of present facilities.
Mrs Yau said the bureau's previous overseas studies showed that the eco-coffin
had become increasingly popular among developed countries as well as developing
countries in Asia and Europe. The bureau sent study teams to the UK and Germany
in 2005 to study the emission standards of cremators and the latest cremation
technology.
Another study was arranged this year to study cremation facilities and
eco-coffins in Qingdao, Shandong Province on the Mainland.
"The eco-coffin coincides with the philosophy of the integration of humans and
nature. The good-looking eco-coffin used in Japan can save material and energy,
hence it is worth promoting in Hong Kong.
"Due respect is given to the deceased, regardless of a simple or magnificent
coffin. We will further study the material and design of the coffin and promote
the application of the eco-coffin in Hong Kong to bring out the concept of
paying tribute to the deceased through protecting the environment.
"In addition, the use of the eco-coffin can enhance efficiency of cremators and
reduce the waiting time as well as being environment friendly, which is
beneficial for the families of deceased and the community as a whole," Mrs Yau
said.
Built with lighter materials, the eco-coffin required less cremation time and
thus would help reduce the maintenance need of cremators, she said.
"With less time required for each session, we can arrange more sessions per day
to cut queuing time for cremation, that in turn, will help ease the demand on
our public mortuary," she said.
Mrs Yau yesterday (November 20) met the Senior Vice-Minister of Health, Labour
and Welfare, Mr Noritoshi Ishida, to discuss livelihood issues, including
cremation policy.
At present, the Government has six public crematoria providing 32 cremators with
a total capacity of about 34,400 cremation sessions a year.
To cope with the rising demand for cremation services, the Government had taken
advantage of the new technology to enhance the handling capacity as well as to
improve control on their air emission. Guidelines are issued to the funeral
trade and bereaved families on the specifications of coffins suitable for
cremation. Since October this year, applicants for cremation service are
requested to remove plastic or metal ornaments on the outer surface of coffins
before their cremation to prevent excessive emission of dioxin.
Joining Mrs Yau to Japan were officials from the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau
and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. The purpose of the two and a
half day visit was to study the food traceability system, cremation policy and
practice as well as the implementation of nutrition labelling requirements in
Japan.
Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:45
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