Gov’t shortens urn niche license to 25 years, maintains current fee

The Executive Council has finalized amendments to public cemetery management regulations, reducing the initial license period for ossuary and urn niches from 50 to 25 years.

The changes will take effect on June 1, 2026, with the initial license fee remaining unchanged despite the shorter period.

While the initial license term is shortened, renewal conditions have been improved.

The renewal period will be extended from five to 10 years, with the government maintaining its waiver of renewal fees.

These regulatory adjustments apply exclusively to new applications submitted after the effective date.

All previously approved cases will continue under the original system without any changes to their existing terms.

Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong explained that the revisions draw on regional experience to optimize public resource utilization and support long-term urban development planning.

The updated framework also standardizes application procedures for grave exhumation and extensions, enhances provisions for recovering associated costs, and introduces new specifications for the proper engraving of deceased individuals’ names.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau will implement these regulatory adjustments to improve cemetery management efficiency while maintaining service accessibility for residents.

The changes aim to balance public resource sustainability with continued service provision. Ricaela Diputado