Government confirms steady coffins supply from mainland

The government on Friday reassured of steady coffins supply and confirmed that all its crematoria will continue to provide cremation services on the day of Ching Ming Festival.

Despite difficulties in coffins delivery experienced recently, about 300 coffins arrived in the city on Friday after the coordination efforts by the Food and Health Bureau and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Including today's number, over 1,200 coffins have arrived in the past five days.

The government added around another 500 coffins are expected to arrive in Hong Kong in the next two days and expressed gratitude towards mainland for their assistance.

It also said the department decided to maintain the operation of all crematoria on the day of Ching Ming Festival, taking into account the pressing need for cremation services by the public.

The public are reminded to pay attention to the special traffic and transport arrangements that day.

Except for hearses, funeral vehicles and permitted vehicles, no other vehicles will be allowed to enter the crematoria

“The department has earlier significantly increased the daily cremation sessions available for booking from 130-140 to 260-300. Currently, there remain sufficient cremation sessions available,” a spokesman said.

He also pointed out that the department has increased manpower correspondingly to ensure that all cremation booking services can be handled.