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Any discussion of death makes many people uncomfortable and is a social taboo in some communities. But death is inevitable, something to prepare ourselves for, and before then, to handle in respect of a loved one perhaps. So full marks should go to Hong Kong’s ombudsman, Jack Chan Jick-chi, for taking the initiative to examine the procedures around this awkward subject.
As is his remit, he focused on the role of government departments. In an executive summary of his investigation report, published earlier this month, Chan outlined some of the problems facing family members upon the death of a loved one, and put forward practical proposals to address them.
One main recommendation is that all the relevant departments should get together and examine the feasibility of developing a one-stop website for after-death arrangements. That would certainly be useful. In endorsing the idea, I would also urge any such interdepartmental effort to take an even wider, more holistic view.
Once an individual has died, there are a whole raft of decisions to be made and actions taken. Who is authorised to take them? The surviving spouse would seem an obvious option but that person might be overwrought with grief or otherwise incompetent. The burden would then fall to the children or other relatives, but they might not be able to agree among themselves.
One question that might arise is whether there is a religious angle, because different religions have different customs and requirements. Another is the possibility of a cross-border aspect, say, of someone who has died outside Hong Kong but wished to have their remains disposed of here, or someone dying here having wished to be buried or have their ashes scattered elsewhere, in their province or country of origin.
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In a city where many elderly die alone, Hong Kong funeral director organises respectful farewells
In a city where many elderly die alone, Hong Kong funeral director organises respectful farewells
The deceased may have left instructions, for example, for their organs to be made available for transplant. We need to make sure such information is passed on automatically to the relatives, and similarly with burial or cremation wishes.