HONG KONG (SE): As Hong Kong continues to face a serious shortage of burial niches due to limited land resources and an ageing population, the Diocesan Board of Catholic Cemeteries has introduced a new option for ash burial at the Garden of Hope, located inside St. Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery in Cheung Sha Wan. The garden, which began accepting burials in May 2024, was blessed on January 29 by Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.J.
The ceremony began with prayers in the cemetery chapel, followed by a procession to the Garden of Hope. Before sprinkling the burial lots with holy water, Cardinal Stephen reflected on the Christian meaning of death and burial. “Funerals and cemeteries are not places for us to be afraid of, as they remind Christians of our eternal life,” he said.
Referring to the gospel reading from the Book of Matthew that day, he spoke of the continuing relevance of the Beatitudes as a counterbalance to materialism and utilitarianism, and emphasised the importance of integrating love and wisdom in spiritual life, rather than focusing solely on rules.
Located in Section 62 of the cemetery, the Garden of Hope comprises 60 former coffin plots reconfigured into 18 burial lots. Each lot is designed to accommodate three levels of biodegradable cardboard urns, which are crafted to symbolise the Christian hope of eternal life.
In front of the burial plots stands a memorial wall engraved with the names, dates of birth and details of the burial locations of those interred, providing families with a lasting place of remembrance.
The enhancement works on the garden were completed in mid-December. A prominent feature of the site is a sculpture of the Pietà, depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus. The 3,000-kilogramme white jade marble sculpture was transported to the centre of the garden last November.
Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming of the Diocesan Board of Catholic Cemeteries explained that the sculpture expresses the belief that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. It affirms Christ’s sharing in human suffering and mortality, while proclaiming the promise of new life through the Resurrection, with Mary’s participation in the work of redemption.
The cardboard urns are designed to decompose naturally over four to five years, allowing another urn to be placed in the same space thereafter, with the soil renewed after approximately 10 years. Father Chan noted that this practice of returning ashes to the earth echoes the message of Ash Wednesday, reminding believers of their earthly origin and final destiny: “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” [Genesis 3:19].
The enhancement works on the garden were completed in mid-December. A prominent feature of the site is a sculpture of the Pietà, depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus
At present, the garden is the final resting place of nearly 150 people. Given the strong demand, Father Chan said expansion plans are underway to replicate the model in two other areas of Cheung Sha Wan, as well as at the Catholic cemeteries in Chai Wan and Happy Valley.
During the ceremony, Father Chan expressed gratitude for the support of Cardinal Stephen and Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai, who offered valuable advice; the Diocesan Building and Development Commission; cemetery staff; contractors; and generous donors whose contributions exceeded the fundraising target. He also acknowledged the contribution of the garden’s landscape designer, Yuki Fung.
Fung explained that the burial ground is designed with pure white stones set amid greenery, creating a simple and serene foundation that encourages visitors to bring flowers and add personal touches of colour and life in memory of their loved ones. The memorial wall features the silhouette of a cross on a hill, along with biblical verses for those in mourning, offering a peaceful space for prayer and reflection.
More than a hundred people attended the blessing ceremony, including Christina To, who brought flowers in memory of her late friend Rita Lee, who died in May last year and was laid to rest in the garden in July.
To recalled that Lee, a pioneer in labour affairs since the 1970s, had supported this innovative form of burial in her final days. As a close friend, she said she felt comforted knowing that Lee now rests in the beauty of the garden, embraced by God.
