Editorial | Time to grant final wishes of relatives in Hong Kong

Everyone has an unhappy story to tell of the pandemic, from the grief of bereavement to grievances over contentious curbs on freedom. That is not to compare the two. But it is hard to imagine being denied closure on both.

That is the predicament of the families of at least 200 people whose bodies still wait in refrigerated storage in Hong Kong to be buried in mainland China, where they were born, in accordance with their final wishes.

They have had to put the funerals of their loved ones off, in some cases for up to three years, because mainland authorities have not yet cleared Hong Kong hearses for border crossings. For them, closure may still be months away.

One story we reported that captures the heartbreak of a tragic chapter in the city’s history is that of Dee Chan, who lost his mother, 89, and father, 97, over eight weeks between January and last month, but has not been able to bury them in plots at Mirs Bay Overseas Chinese Cemetery in Shenzhen, for which they paid HK$600,000.

This is after authorities said hearses could resume crossings through Sha Tau Kok – the only land checkpoint for bodies – from February 6, but failed to give the green light.