Making Funeral Arrangements in Hong Kong 2023

Knowing what to do when a family member passes away in Hong Kong, (click here to read more), is the first step in understanding how to navigate the process.

To make funeral arrangements in Hong Kong, there are a number of steps to follow. These include deciding on the type of funeral service, choosing a funeral home, making arrangements for the funeral or memorial service, obtaining a death certificate, registering the death, and beginning the process of settling the deceased's estate. Here are some more detailed steps to follow when making funeral arrangements in Hong Kong:

1. The first step in making funeral arrangements in Hong Kong is to decide on the type of funeral service, for example - a Catholic, Christian, Buddhist or Taoist service.  A funeral planner in Hong Kong can help.  Consider them like your would a travel planner - they will be able to help you curate a funeral experience that matches your family's beliefs and at a budget that you decide.  It is important to find someone who is experienced, compassionate, and understanding. Funeral directors do not necessarily have to be employed by one of the main funeral homes in Hong Kong.  They can be individual consultants who help to arrange priests, ceremonies and book the event hall at one of the major funeral homes.

   Here are some tips for choosing a funeral planner in Hong Kong:

   • Ask for referrals from friends or family who have recently had a funeral.
   • Read online reviews of funeral homes and funeral directors.
   • Interview several funeral directors before making a decision.
   • Be sure to ask about the cost of the funeral services, as well as the availability of the funeral home.
   • Choose a funeral director who you feel comfortable with and who you trust.
   
   The funeral planner will be there for you throughout the entire process, aiding you step by step through the entire process. Such services available in Hong Kong can be provided by Kung Sau Funeral services or an independent funeral planner like Carmen (恩福) +852 9456 8292 
   
   
   
   

2. Choose a funeral home: 

   When choosing a funeral home for a ceremony in Hong Kong, there are several factors to consider to ensure you select the most appropriate one. Here are some steps to help you with the decision-making process.

   • Research and gather information: Start by researching different funeral homes in Hong Kong. Look for information online, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from friends, family, or acquaintances who have had experience with funeral services in the area.

   • Location and accessibility: Consider the location of the funeral home. It should ideally be easily accessible for family members and friends attending the ceremony. Consider the proximity to public transportation, parking facilities, and the convenience for everyone involved.

   • Facilities and amenities: Visit the funeral homes in person if possible to assess their facilities and amenities. Pay attention to the size and layout of the venue, the availability of viewing rooms, chapels, and reception areas. Ensure that the funeral home can accommodate the expected number of attendees comfortably.

   • Services provided: Determine the range of services offered by the funeral homes. Some may specialize in specific religious or cultural ceremonies, so ensure that they can accommodate your specific needs and preferences. Check if they provide additional services such as catering, transportation, flower arrangements, or multimedia support for presentations.

   • Staff and service quality: The staff at the funeral home should be professional, compassionate, and respectful. Interact with the staff to gauge their level of understanding and empathy. They should be able to guide you through the funeral planning process and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

   • Cost and transparency: Funeral costs can vary significantly, so it's important to request detailed pricing information from each funeral home you consider. Ensure that they provide a transparent breakdown of the costs involved, including any additional fees or charges. Compare the prices and evaluate them in conjunction with the quality of services provided.

   • Cultural and religious considerations: If you have specific cultural or religious requirements for the funeral ceremony, discuss them with the funeral home to ensure they can accommodate your needs. They should be familiar with the customs and rituals associated with your faith or culture.

   • Reputation and recommendations: Look for testimonials, reviews, or recommendations from previous clients of the funeral home. Positive feedback and a good reputation can indicate a reliable and trustworthy service provider.

   • Personal preferences: Ultimately, trust your instincts and consider your personal preferences. Choose a funeral home where you feel comfortable and confident that your loved one will be honored and remembered in the manner you desire.

   Remember to take your time when making this decision, as it is an important part of honoring the memory of your loved one.

3. The funeral planner can also help to handle documents such as the death certificate and cremation/burial permit, if applicable. Due to the tightly packed schedules of crematoriums, you could be asked to choose the crematorium you would prefer and the date of cremation. Usually, cremation date could be the day after the funeral ceremony or a few days after. In certain situations, if the preferred cremation date cannot be acquired, the body may be held in the funeral parlour till the cremation date.  This is just how the process works in Hong Kong, and rather than worrying about the date of cremation you should go ahead with the funeral planning as the final cremation date is essentially out of your control. 

4. Make preparations for the funeral or memorial service: The funeral home will generally assist with making arrangements for the service. This may include deciding on the location of the service, choosing pallbearers, selecting music and readings, and purchasing a casket or urn, if desired. The funeral ceremony will be planned as per the wishes and religion of your lost loved one. At the same time, an obituary can be drafted, and relatives and friends should be informed of the loss and the upcoming funeral ceremony. From there, behind the scenes, the company will pick up the deceased from the mortuary and transport them to their parlour, where the corpse will be prepared for the funeral ceremony (cleaning, embalmment, make-up, etc.). Once all the planning and preparations are complete, the funeral ceremony is ready to proceed.

    

   

   A typical hearse in Hong Kong

5. Obtain a death certificate: In order to settle the deceased's estate and handle any legal matters, it will be necessary to obtain a death certificate. Generally, the funeral planner can assist with this process.

6. Register the death: In Hong Kong, it is also necessary to register the death with the local government. This can now be done online through the registry of births deaths and marriage.

7. Notify relevant parties: After the death of a loved one, it is important to notify relevant parties, such as family members, friends, and any organizations or businesses that the deceased was associated with. This may include their employer, insurance companies, and banks.

8. Begin the process of settling the deceased's estate: Once the funeral or memorial service has been held and the death certificate and registration have been obtained, the next step is to begin the process of settling the deceased's estate. This may include inventorying the deceased's assets, paying outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining assets according to the deceased's wishes, as outlined in their will or through the laws of intestate succession.

Flower wreaths are a common arrangement for funerals to show support.

Funerals are solemn events, where the bereaved can greave and send off their lost loved to their next stage of existence. Many families opt for the best options and try their best to provide the most elaborate and grand funeral ceremonies for the deceased. It is heart-warming to see people put in so much time and effort into planning a funeral to send off their loved ones from their last stop on this earth.

After the funeral, the next step is burial.  The burial option chosen can be everlasting and forms a place where families are able to commemorate the life the deceased and there are many options available. Click here to read about burial options and their associated costs in Hong Kong.

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