Hong Kong Ordinances

BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE - SECT 16

Restriction on removal of dead body

(1) No person, unless acting under the written sanction or direction of a
registrar, shall remove, or assist or attempt to remove, or procure the
removal of, or bury any dead body until a certificate of registration of death
under section 17 has been issued, or an order to bury or cremate has been
obtained from a coroner: (Amended 57 of 1967 Schedule) Provided that where
interment is urgent and it is not possible promptly to procure such
certificate or order, it shall be the duty of any person who may desire to
remove or bury a dead body to report the same at the nearest police station,
when the inspector or other officer in charge may issue forthwith a permit in
the prescribed form. The issue of such permit shall be forthwith reported to a
registrar by the issuing officer, and shall not exonerate the persons required
by this Ordinance to give information respecting the death of any person from
giving the information required. (See Form 8)

(2) No person shall remove, or assist to remove, or procure the removal of a
dead body from Hong Kong until he has obtained from a registrar a permit in
the prescribed form. (See Form 9) (Amended 67 of 1984 s. 6)