XN000022-1982-03-28 — Page 5

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1982

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WARNING ABOUT UNSCRUPULOUS EXHUMATION SERVICES

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PEOPLE VISITING PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE CAREFUL OF UNSCRUPULOUS CONTRACTORS OFFERING EXHUMATION SERVICES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY,

THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND AFTER COMPLAINTS WERE RECENTLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT ABOUT EXORBITANT CHARGES LEVIED BY UNDERTAKERS.

AS BURIAL IN WO HOP SHEK, SANDY RIDGE AND CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC CEMETERIES ARE NOT PERMANENT, ALL HUMAN REMAINS INTERRED IN 1975 ARE NOW DUE FOR REMOVAL.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO MAKE THE IR OWN ARRANGEMENTS WITH A FUNERAL PARLOUR OR AN UNDERTAKER TO HAVE THE REMAINS EXHUMED BEFORE APRIL 30, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.

AFTER EXHUMATION, THE REMAINS CAN BE BURIED IN A PERMANENT URN GRAVE IN WO HOP SHEK AND CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC CEMETERIES, WHILE THE CREMATED ASHES CAN BE KEPT IN A NICHE AT ANY COLUMBARIUM.

HOWEVER, NO CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE NTSD TO OPERATE A SERVICE FOR PRIVATE EXHUMATION IN PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THERE IS AT PRESENT NO REGULATION GOVERNING THE SCALE OF FEES CHARGED BY ANY PRIVATE CONTRACTOR.

THE NTSD DOES NOT OPERATE ANY SERVICE FOR EXHUMATION OF HUMAN REMAINS AT PUBLIC CEMETERIES.

STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER ANY SUCH SERVICE, AND IT IS IN FACT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE FOR A CIVIL SERVANT TO SOLICIT OR ACCEPT ANY ADVANTAGE, THE NTSD SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

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