Media

HKU Centre on Behavioral Health to release survey findings on Hong Kong people’s changing attitude towards death
Co-burial of family members to generate more spaces from existing facilities

24 Apr 2015

The Centre on Behavioral Health at the University of Hong Kong was funded by the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC) to undergo a one-year research and educational initiative entitled “The Centennial Evolution of Funeral and Burial Practices in Hong Kong”.

A survey was conducted by the Centre to understand the general public’s attitude towards death. The findings revealed that Hong Kong people have been more open and positive towards death. They have also shown greater acceptance towards organ donations, the ideas of eco-burial and co-burial with relatives.

Building on the idea of co-burial, the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries suggests to making better use of its existing cemeteries and columbaria for people to put their cremains in the burial plot or niche of family members departed earlier. The measure can provide for up to tens of thousands more burial spaces, so as to ease the acute shortage problem.

A press conference will be held on April 27 (Monday) on the survey findings. BMCPC representatives will brief the media on the suggestions to generate more burial spaces from existing facilities. A seven-minute documentary will also be shown with people telling their stories of making death preparation and experience of bereavement. Some will share their cases at the conference. Details are as follows:

Date: April 27, 2015 (Monday)
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: HKU Centre on Behavioral Health, 2/F, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong (map)

Presenters:
Professor Cecilia Chan Lai Wan, Head and Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU
Ms. Brenda Lo, Executive Director, BMCPC

Guest Speakers:
Ms. Vikie Wong, Assistant Social Work Officer, United Christian Hospital

For more details, please contact Ms. Amy Choi (Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU; Tel: 2831 5163; email: amychoi@hku.hk). For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Melanie Wan (Communications and Public Affairs Office, HKU; Tel: 2859 2600; email: melwkwan@hku.hk).