Private columbarium operators plan to establish an association to enhance business transparency and build public confidence.
Hongkongers are increasingly turning to private niches as a burial solution, but some operators have run into trouble over land-lease rights, involving the question of whether ashes should be regarded as human remains.
There are an estimated 100 private columbariums in Hong Kong, providing about 200,000 niches, and the association aimed to recruit more than half of the operators.
'We need a unified voice to represent the trade and explain to the public how our trade really works after a series of incidents involving our business was reported in the media,' said Yuen Seen-pun, spokesman for the Preparatory Committee of the Hong Kong Columbarium Merchant Association. 'We hope this will increase the transparency of our work.'
Memorial Park Hong Kong spokeswoman Pingo Wong Kin-ping said they had to hire extra staff to handle inquiries and refund applications after their land-lease dispute was covered by the media. 'Many called us asking for refunds with questions about our operation. But then, after they learned our operation had no problems, they came back to us and bought niches they gave up earlier,' Wong said.
The association hoped to pool the collection of management fees from niche-holders, which would give them better protection.
