HK govt scrambles to provide final resting places

Hong Kong (CNS) -- Final resting places in Hong Kong are subject to new market stresses. Less than ten percent of the local residents elect in-ground burial while the vast majority go for cremation. The result is Hong Kong is facing a shortage of private columbarium and the average price of a vault niche is soaring.

To solve the problem, the local government has selected 24 sites in 18 districts to construct new columbarium, said the secretary of Hong Kong's Food and Health Bureau York Chow just days ago, They plan to offer another 120,000 niches by 2016.

In the meantime, the government is promoting sea burials by offering citizens free government-sponsored cruises or the option to book a private cruise by advance application.