The tour was aimed at giving the elderly an opportunity to face death with a positive view and to better prepare for that day, said Josephine Lee Yuk-chi, senior manager of Corporate Venture (Partnership & Alliances) at St James' Settlement.

'Some elderly people who do not have family members have given us instructions about how to organise their funeral. We decided to bring them to different funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoriums and funeral shops so they can better understand the services before they make their choices,' Ms Lee said.

The first stop involved a tour of the shire hall at Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan and nearby shops selling caskets, funeral shrouds and other funeral items.

The group's next stop was the mortuary in Kowloon Hospital before visiting the Kwai Chung Crematorium.

After lunch at the Yuen Yuen Institute, which provides places for urns, the group was taken to Po Fook Hill columbarium hall in Sha Tin before arriving at their last stop at Chai Wan cemetery.

Ms Lee said some elderly people who still had relatives wanted to organise their funeral to avoid family disputes.

'A funeral is something very personal, we believe that even their family members should respect their decisions,' she added.

In September 2004, St James Settlement launched a service to help elderly people who had no families or other social support to organise their funeral arrangements before they died.

About 300 elderly people have registered with the service.

The tour guide was a social worker who was experienced in providing such services.

Yesterday's tour was free, but the agency plans to offer a second round of tours at the end of the month that will cost about $90 for each person aged 60 and older. The agency also welcomes registration of non-Chinese-speaking elderly who had no family or friends to help prepare their funeral arrangements.

For inquiries, phone Gary Sham Chi-wing on 28313232.