Hong Kong Regulations

PRIVATE CEMETERIES REGULATION - SECT 9

Manner of burial

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

(1) No person shall, in any private cemetery-

   (a)  cause any human remains to be buried in a grave in such a manner that
        any part of the coffin, or the body if the same is not encoffined, is
        at a depth of less than 900 mm below the level of the ground adjoining
        the grave: Provided that, where skeletal remains or ashes are
        contained in an urn, a depth of 450 mm shall suffice; (L.N. 89 of
        1979)

   (b)  cause any human remains to be buried in a grave unless the coffin, or
        the body if the same is not encoffined, is effectually separated from
        any other coffin or body which is already in the grave by means of a
        layer of earth not less than 150 mm in thickness; or (L.N. 89 of 1979)

   (c)  cause any grave to be dug in such a manner as to leave-

        (i)    less than 300 mm; or (L.N. 89 of 1979)

        (ii)   except in the case of a grave in a grave space reserved or set
               aside before 1 January 1973, more than 450 mm, (L.N. 89 of
               1979) interspace between any part of such grave and any other
               grave. (L.N. 80 of 1976)

(2) Save in so far as may be necessary in the course of disposing of any human
remains contained therein, no person shall, in any private  cemetery, leave
any coffin or urn deposited on the surface of the ground.