The Private Columbaria (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 came into force on May 30, 2025. The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today announced that eligible "pre-cut-off columbaria" intending to make new applications for exemption may apply to the Private Columbaria Licensing Board (PCLB) from September 1 to November 30.

By obtaining an exemption, eligible "pre-cut-off columbaria" may keep the niches sold before the enactment date of the Private Columbaria Ordinance on June 30, 2017 and continue to operate at its current scale.

Under the amendment ordinance, "pre-cut-off columbaria" making new applications for exemption must meet the new eligibility criteria and specified conditions to minimise their impact on the neighbourhood.

The PCLB has uploaded the application guide to the FEHD's dedicated website.

The FEHD’s Private Columbaria Affairs Office will also contact the eligible "pre-cut-off columbaria" individually to explain the application details and assist them in submitting the application.

For enquiries, call 2892 2731 or email rpc@fehd.gov.hk.