Did you know the Sandy Ridge Columbarium is part of a larger complex? It addresses Hong Kong’s need for more cemetery facilities. Officials decided to build it in 2012. The Sandy Ridge Columbarium is located in Lo Wu. It is part of the Sandy Ridge Cemetery. The goal was to include funeral parlours, a crematorium and a columbarium.
Let me tell you more about this place. The Sandy Ridge Columbarium project aims to yield over 200000 niche plots. It also plans to stage 17800 annual cremations. This is crucial in a city facing space constraints. The Democratic Alliance initially suggested using the land for collaboration with Shenzhen. But campaigners stressed the urgent need for columbarium space.
Eddie Tse Sai-kit highlighted the insufficient number of columbaria. He noted that even with 24 identified sites, shortages persist. The Sandy Ridge Columbarium is the largest of these projects. It offers hundreds of thousands of niche spaces. Other projects offer far fewer.
The government has reiterated the necessity of the Sandy Ridge Columbarium. It will avoid a serious scarcity of cemetery facilities in Hong Kong. This is projected for the medium to long term.
The Sandy Ridge Cemetery started construction in 1949. It opened to the public in 1950. Initially, it had four coffin sections. These were Little Sister of the Poor, Roman Catholic Church, Sha Ling and Tung Wah. It became the final home for unclaimed remains. These remains were transferred from various cemeteries. These cemeteries had ceased operation.
Interestingly, access to Sandy Ridge Cemetery has changed over time. Previously, a Closed Area Permit was needed. Since January 4, 2016, it’s no longer in the restricted area. Now, people can visit without a permit.
The new Sandy Ridge Columbarium includes three columbarium blocks. These are labeled T1, T2 and T3. They are constructed over sloping ground. These blocks will provide about 146000 niches. The design is compatible with the natural landscape of Sandy Ridge Cemetery. A Garden of Remembrance is planned. It will feature a spacious lawn. The I-shape niche arrangement facilitates MiC and DfMA construction. This enhances work quality. It also minimizes site work. This approach helps cope with labor shortages. It creates a more friendly environment. So, as you can see, the Sandy Ridge Columbarium serves an important function. It blends practical needs with respect for the environment.