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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1982
SIMPLIFIED CREMATION PROCEDURES SOON
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REGULATIONS TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCEDURES OF APPLYING FOR A CREMATION PERMIT ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTORY FORMS IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE CREMATION AND GARDENS OF REMEMBRANCE (NEW TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1982 ARE AIMED AT EXPEDITING THE ISSUE OF CREMATION PERMITS TO THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE THE REMAINS OF THE DECEASED CREMATED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION WHEN THE URBAN COUNCIL INTRODUCES CORRESPONDING AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE THREE STATUTORY FORMS
IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE EXISTING REGULATIONS.
ONE OF THE FORMS IS USED BY THE BEREAVED FAMILY TO APPLY FOR A CREMATION PERMIT WHILE ANOTHER IS USED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO AUTHORISE CREMATION OF THE REMAINS.
THESE TWO STATUTORY FORMS REQUIRE THE APPLICANT AND THE AUTHORISING OFFICER TO SPECIFY THE NAME OF A GOVERNMENT CREMATORIUM IN RESPECT OF WHICH A CREMATION PERMIT IS TO BE GRANTED.
THE NEW REGULATIONS REMOVE THIS REQUIREMENT, SO THAT THE APPLICANT WILL NOT HAVE TO RETURN TO THE PORT HEALTH OFFICE FOR AMENDMENT OF THE FORMS IN CASE OF ANY CHANGE IN THE PLACE OF CREMATION.
THE THIRD FORM IS ISSUED BY THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO APPROVE CREMATION OF THE REMAINS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS REQUIRE A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO CERTIFY ON THIS FORM WHETHER ANY CARDIAC PACEMAKER OR RADIOACTIVE OR OTHER IMPLANT HAS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BODY BEFORE CREMATION.
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