Govt streamlines columbarium niche allocation with monthly draws

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has introduced a major change to the allocation of extendable niches at several public columbaria. A total of 12,150 niches at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling, Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in the Eastern District, and Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin will be allocated on a monthly basis, instead of the previous annual system.

The open drawing of lots and computer random balloting will first be conducted in July to distribute the available niches, and the application will start on April 1.

Under the new system, successful applicants who decline their allocated niche will be barred from reapplying for the same columbarium for six months. Meanwhile, those who are not selected in the monthly lottery will automatically be offered a niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium in Tuen Mun.

According to the FEHD, the increased supply of niches—thanks to the completion of new columbaria in recent years—has enabled the department to streamline and improve allocation procedures. Each month, over 1,600 niches will be available for public application across the three main columbaria, with additional spaces included at Tsang Tsui Columbarium.