Introduction of Catholic Cemeteries
The Catholic Cemeteries are operated under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong and were established since the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Catholic Cemeteries are located in Hong Kong island, Kowloon and New Territories, including:
Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island | St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery |
Cape Collinson in Chai Wan, Hong Kong Island | Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery |
Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon | St. Raphael's Catholic Cemetery |
Sai Kung, New Territories | Sai Kung Catholic Cemetery |
Cheung Chau Island, New Territories | Cheung Chau Catholic Cemetery |
The Burial Ground of the Catholic Cemeteries include:
Permanent Burial Lot / Permanent Urn Burial Lot | Permanent Burial Lots and Permanent Urn Burial Lots were no longer allocated by the Diocese since 1988 |
Exhumable Burial Lot (One Extendable Term Only) | Allocated for an initial term of 10 years; extendable for one further term of 6 years |
Exhumable Burial Lot (Multiple Extendable Terms) | Allocated for an initial term of 20 years; extendable for every 10 years thereafter |
Ossuary Niche | Depository of Exhumed Human Remains |
Urn Niche | Depository of Cremated Ashes |
Family Niche | Twice the size of a standard niche. Allocated for an initial term of 20 years; extendable for every 10 years thereafter |
Niche (Multiple Extendable Terms) | Allocated for an initial term of 20 years; extendable for every 10 years thereafter |
Garden of Hope (Garden of Remembrance) | Once the cremated Ashes is buried in the Garden of Remembrance, no exhumation, relocation, co-burial or exportation is allowed. All burial lots for the Ashes will be subject to re-use after 10 years. |
Requirement:
| 1.The deceased must be a Catholic with 'Burial Permit in the Catholic Cemetery' issued by the related parish. |
2. Provide Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 10) OR Certificate of Order Authorizing Burial of Body (Form 11) for Coffin Burial. or Provide 'Permit to Take Away Cremated Ashes' (issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) for Ashes Depository. |
Chapel:
Chapel facilities are provided in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Chai Wan and St. Raphael's Catholic Cemetery in Cheung Sha Wan for funeral services or prayers.
Prayer gatherings:
Prayer gatherings are held twice a year during the Ching Ming Festival and the Chung Yeung Festival at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and St. Raphael's Catholic Cemetery in Cheung Sha Wan to commemorate the deceased. In addition, on November 2nd of each year, Catholics observe the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls Day. A requiem mass will be held at the above catholic cemeteries to help these souls attain the beatific vision—eternal life with God in heaven. This day emphasizes the doctrine that many of the souls of the faithful departed need our prayers as they complete their purification.
Catholic way of mourning:
In difference from the traditional Chinese manner, Catholics express their remembrance and respect for the deceased by sending flowers, offering incense, or sprinkling holy water.
Family members pray together to God, reciting the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, followed by three bows.