End urged to after-death red tape

Henry Siu

Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi emphasized the need for more accessible and user-friendly information regarding after-death arrangements.

He proposed that government departments collaborate to create a comprehensive, interdepartmental one-stop website.

Chan acknowledged the challenges for people seeking information on after-death arrangements for their loved ones.

Currently, people must navigate multiple department websites to find the necessary details about the deceased.

The Department of Health and Hospital Authority handle mortuary services and issue death certificates while registrations lie with the Immigration Department.

The bereaved must submit applications and follow up with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for funeral arrangements.

"The bereaved are already dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, and requiring them to navigate complicated procedures across various departments adds to their burden," Chan explained.

"They have to click through multiple links to gather the information they need, which is often hard to find."

To enhance the convenience of services related to after-death arrangements, Chan had 10 recommendations covering death registration, mortuary services, and funeral planning.

A key suggestion was to develop a one-stop thematic website based on the FEHD's "After-death Arrangements" site launched last month, reducing the need for visits to multiple offices.

Other recommendations include reviewing the availability of storage facilities in public and hospital mortuaries and setting up an emergency response system for situations that might lead to mass casualties.

The Ombudsman also suggested organizing regular seminars or forums to educate people unfamiliar with technology on how to utilize the after-death arrangement services online.

With an aging population, Chan said, demand for services related to after-death arrangements is expected to grow, making it crucial to effectively disseminate information about these services.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the Office of the Ombudsman received 4,400 complaints during the 2023-2024 period, marking the lowest number in the past five years.

He said that the office conducted 10 direct investigations and 95 full investigations, resulting in a total of 186 recommendations.

"The vast majority of these recommendations were accepted and relevant departments are actively pursuing follow-up actions," he added.