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Celine Sun

Company urges government to educate public on advantages of the practice

There has been growing interest among the elderly and the funeral services industry in a government plan to license the scattering of ashes at sea, despite doubts from religious groups.

Welfare group St James' Settlement has received more than 10 inquiries since the government announced the plan last Tuesday.

The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has designated waters off Tap Mun, Tung Lung Chau, the West Lamma Channel and the Brothers Islands for ash-casting. It will take 20 to 30 minutes by boat to get to the designated areas.

Under the present law, applications for scattering ashes at sea are processed on a case-by-case basis.

The government will announce more details of its plan next month.

Josephine Lee Yuk-chi, senior manager at St James' Settlement, said the group had received requests occasionally in the past, but the scattering of ashes at sea had been impossible because of government restrictions.

'It is good to know that the government is set to lift the ban,' she said. 'At least it will offer one more option to the elderly.'

Ms Lee said that about 300 elderly people had commissioned the group to take care of their funerals, of which about 3 per cent had indicated they would like their ashes cast into the sea. More than 90 per cent opted for cremation and some 5 per cent wanted burial.

'Usually, those wanting a sea burial have few family members in Hong Kong, or they simply don't want to bother their children and relatives to pay tribute to their urns every year,' she said.

Funeral services company Hong Kong Warm Heart is one of a few offering ash-casting at sea. The company, which organises a trip every three months to international waters off the Kwo Chau Islands, charges each family HK$2,000 for the service including transport, a religious ritual and flowers.

Company spokesman Chan Fuk-chi  said the government should put more effort into educating the public on the advantages of the practice.

'The government just regards the sea burial as a way to alleviate the shortage of burial spaces and urn niches, but it's actually the most natural and environmental way to deal with people's remains,' Mr Chan said.

But some local religious groups have reservations about the practice of casting ashes into the sea.

Catholic Diocese chancellor Father Lawrence Lee said the church would not encourage the practice.

'Our religious belief preaches that there is life after death and the concept of eternal life. If ashes are scattered into the sea, it seems nothing is left. The new proposal is really not a very ideal method.'

Taoist Association secretary-general Wu Lianzi said the government's proposal was a 'revolution'.

'Traditionally, we bury our ancestors in a certain area so that we can pay them respect during grave sweeping festivals and show that we have not forgotten about them even though they are no longer with us,' said Mr Wu.

'Once the ash is scattered into the sea, it seems that nothing is left in memory of our ancestors. But Hong Kong people seem to be undergoing a revolution about such issues as there is really not much land left for burial.'



Plan for scattering ashes at sea draws interest