There is no evidence that a misidentified body was cremated at Kwai Chung Crematorium on October 20, Deputy Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene (Administration & Development) Chan Woon-yee says.

Meeting a family member of the deceased today, she said the incident did not involve the handling of other bodies.

"According to information provided by the funeral agent, and upon checking documents and records, it is believed the funeral agent wrongly put down the first name of another deceased onto the concerned deceased's coffin. However, the surname of the deceased tallied with the cremation papers," she said.

"The family members were present throughout the process when the coffin was transferred from the funeral parlour to the crematorium. In addition, accompanied by a representative of the funeral agent, the crematorium manager opened the coffin to check the particulars on the deceased's bracelet. The cremation took place after having confirmed that the particulars on the bracelet matched with those on the cremation documents and ash bag."

2 deceased

She clarified that the case only involved the names of two deceased instead of four. During the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department's press briefing on December 1, it, based on the information provided by the funeral agent that day, said that the surname was wrongly written but the first name was correct. However, it was later found from the records that the funeral agent had put down the first name of another deceased body on the coffin, but the surname matched that on the cremation documents and ash bag.

Ms Chan said the department looked into the record of the other body and understands that the deceased was sent to another crematorium from the mortuary direct on October 20. The particulars were confirmed to be correct before cremation took place.

She refuted reports quoting the department as saying the incident might have involved the handling of four bodies.

Regarding a family request for a DNA test, Ms Chan said the Government Laboratory said at the meeting that the chance for successful verification was slim as the ashes had been treated under high temperature. However, arrangements have been made for the ashes to be tested.

Procedure review

Cremation procedures have been reviewed and amended. Crematorium staff are requested to crosscheck the name of the deceased on the coffin, the ash bag and related documents upon the coffin's arrival. In case of discrepancies, the family will be asked to confirm that things are in order before proceeding with cremation. The coffin will not be opened under normal circumstances. In exceptional cases, prior approval by an assistant director of the department will be sought, and the coffin will only be opened in the presence of the family members and under the surveillance of closed-circuit television.

The department has written to the funeral trade reminding it to ensure names on coffins match those on cremation permits. Investigations regarding other aspects of the case are underway.