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SCMP Reporter

More than 70 people boarded a boat yesterday to scatter the ashes of relatives in the first sea funerals held in Hong Kong waters for city residents.

'Mum must have been very happy at the moment when I scattered her ashes at sea,' a tearful Ms Kwok said. 'It was her last wish.'

Hers was one of 11 families to take part in the funerals, held off The Brothers islands near Lantau.

Various religious ceremonies and prayers were chosen  as a farewell to the 11  deceased. In Ms Kwok's case, a short Christian ceremony was held for her mother,  who died, aged 78, in October.

Ms Kwok said a sea burial had great meaning for her mother because she was born in Tung Chung to a family of fishermen.

'She loved the sea very much. She used to catch fish in this region a lot.'

Ms Kwok was overwhelmed when she learned her application for a sea burial had been approved.

'I believe this is God's will, especially as it is Easter. Finally, I fulfil her last wish.'

Sea burials were also economical, she said.

It cost Ms Kwok HK$2,000 to cast the ashes, including the boat trip, flowers and offerings.

Wong Siu-ming, who scattered his father's ashes, echoed her  sentiments.

'Sea burial is my dad's will. I feel very happy that I can accomplish his last wish,' he said.

Mr Yuen, 69, chose a sea burial for his elder brother as they had few family members.

'My brother was single and had few family members. Besides, he loved freedom. Scattering his ashes at sea can finally give him freedom,' he said.

The city's first ash-casting at sea also attracted some curious elderly people who wanted to learn about the ceremony.

Mr Chiu, 79, said: 'It gave me a better idea so I can explain it to my friends in the elderly home.

'But one thing they can improve is to tell us how to wear life jackets, which I think is very important.'

Funeral services company Hong Kong Warm Heart helped organise yesterday's service. Company spokesman Chan Fuk-chi said: 'Sea burial is an environmental and natural method. I believe it will be popular in 30 years' time, just like when cremation was first introduced 30 years ago.'

Mr Chan also called on the government to ease restrictions imposed by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau.

'I think forbidding people from throwing flowers, food and offerings is tedious,' he said.

'I hope the government can relax the rules a bit and open up more areas for ash-casting.'

The government has designated waters off Tap Mun, Tung Lung Chau, the West Lamma Channel and The Brothers  for the casting of ashes.

The requirements for scattering ashes at sea

1 Scattering ashes must be approved and follow a set date, time and venue

2 Throwing flowers, food and offerings is forbidden

3 Only authorised persons can participate

4 Scattering ashes not allowed near fishing vessels5Scattering ashes not allowed if dolphins or marine animals present



Ashes of 11 scattered in first sea funeral