Hong Kong to extend free use of public hospital mortuaries from 3 to 28 days

The three-day exemption from new mortuary charges effective next year at Hong Kong public hospitals will be extended to four weeks, the government has said, after the move sparked controversy.

The Health Bureau and Hospital Authority made the announcement on Saturday after the funeral sector criticised the tiered fee structure earlier this week, saying it would penalise families for delays in after-death arrangements.

“We considered public opinion and stakeholder feedback and will refine the charging arrangements for our mortuaries,” Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said. “We aim for these charges to guide the public towards prudent use of our existing healthcare resources.”

The revised arrangement will mean that there are no charges for storing a body for four weeks after death, HK$200 (US$26) per day in the fifth week, and HK$550 per day from the sixth week. The arrangement will go into effect from January 1 next year.

Libby Lee Ha-yun, chief executive of the Hospital Authority, said that according to past data, 80 per cent of bodies were moved out of public hospital mortuaries within 28 days.

More details will be announced at a press conference to be held by the authority on Saturday afternoon.