More than 18,000 new extendable niches at two columbaria in Fanling and Eastern District will open for applications from May 13 to June 12, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department announced today.

Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling will provide 8,000 standard niches and 40 large niches, while Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Eastern District will provide 10,000 standard niches and 60 large niches for application.

The department said applicants should only file one application form to apply for either a large or standard niche for the same deceased person.

Applicants have to fill in the particulars of at least three deceased people when applying for a large niche. For a standard niche, applicants must fill in at least one deceased person's details.

Starting May 13, application forms can be downloaded from the department’s website.

Additionally, application forms can be obtained from the department’s Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries & Crematoria Offices, District Environmental Hygiene Offices, the Home Affairs Department’s Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, or by fax via hotline 2841 9111.

Applications can also be made online from the same day.

A talk on after-death arrangements will be held at 10.30am on May 4 at Yau Tong Community Hall, 38 Ko Chiu Road, to provide more information on the coming public niche allocation, green burial facilities/services and regulation of private columbaria.

The talk is free of charge and no prior registration is required.