If the death occurred in a hospital, the attending doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (commonly called "Form 18" or "death certificate from the hospital"). This is NOT the official death certificate — it is the medical document that allows death registration.

If the death occurred at home or in a care facility, a registered medical practitioner who attended the deceased during their last illness must issue the certificate. If no doctor attended the deceased, or if the death was sudden or unexplained, the police and coroner become involved (see item 2 below).

Hospital contacts:

• Hospital Authority general enquiry: 2300 6555
• The hospital's ward or medical records department will guide you through the process

If the death was not attended by a doctor, was sudden or unexpected, occurred due to an accident, violence, or suspicious circumstances, or if the deceased had not seen a doctor in the 14 days before death, you must call the police immediately.

The police will attend the scene and a Coroner's investigation may be initiated. The body will be taken to the public mortuary at the Forensic Pathology Service of the Department of Health for a post-mortem examination.

Contact: Police emergency: 999 | Police general enquiry: 2860 2000

Coroner's Court: 2802 8523 (30 Gascoigne Road, Yau Ma Tei)

A licensed funeral director will help coordinate the funeral, cremation or burial, and the transport of the body. They can also assist with death registration paperwork. Hong Kong has both private funeral companies and non-profit services.

If cost is a concern, the Social Welfare Department operates a funeral grant scheme and can provide referrals. The Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries also offers assistance for eligible applicants.

Funeral directors can be found through:

• Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) licensed undertaker list
• Hospital social workers (they typically have lists of funeral directors)
• Religious organisations affiliated with the deceased

Inform immediate family, close relatives, and close friends. If the deceased had a religious community, inform the relevant clergy or community leaders who may assist with funeral rites and support.

The death must be registered with the Births and Deaths General Register Office. Registration can be done at either of the two offices:

• Hong Kong Island: Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong (Tel: 2867 2784)
• Kowloon: 4/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Law Courts Building, 501 Tung Chau West Street, Cheung Sha Wan (Tel: 2150 8747)

Who can register: A relative of the deceased present at the death or during the last illness; any person present at the death; the occupier of the premises where the death occurred; or any person causing the disposal of the body.

Documents needed:

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form 18)
• Deceased's HKID card
• Informant's HKID card

Fee: Registration is free. The Registrar will issue a Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 12) at no charge.

You will need certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurers, the Probate Registry, government departments, and overseas institutions. Each certified copy costs HK$140.

Recommendation: Order at least 6 certified copies at the time of registration. If the deceased had overseas assets, order 10 or more. You can order additional copies later, but it's more convenient to do it at registration.

Copies can be ordered from the same Births and Deaths Registry offices listed above.

Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177), the HKID card of a deceased person must be returned to the Commissioner of Registration within 30 days of the death. In practice, you can do this at the death registration or deliver it to:

Registration of Persons Office: Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai (Tel: 2824 6111)

You may keep a photocopy for your records before returning the original, as the HKID number will be needed for many future administrative tasks.

Hong Kong has limited cemetery space, and the vast majority of deceased persons (over 90%) are cremated. Key points:

Cremation:

• Government crematoria are managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
• Booking: FEHD cremation booking hotline — 2656 7271 or online at www.fehd.gov.hk
• Cremation can typically be arranged within 7-15 days of the death
• Government cremation fee: HK$0 (free for HK residents at government crematoria)
• Niche (columbarium) placement: Apply through FEHD for government niches, or use private providers

Burial:

• Public cemeteries: Very limited availability — only 6-year renewable plots are available at public cemeteries
• Private cemeteries: Permanent or long-term plots available (e.g., Cape Collinson, Pok Fu Lam, etc.)
• Application for burial permit: Through FEHD

FEHD Cemeteries and Crematoria Office: 2656 7271

Finding whether the deceased left a will is critical, as it determines who administers the estate and how assets are distributed. Search the following locations:

• At home: Check filing cabinets, drawers, safes, among personal papers
• With their solicitor: Contact any solicitor the deceased used — they may hold the original will or know of its existence
• Wills Registry: The Sub-Registry of the High Court maintains a Wills Registry where wills can be deposited for safekeeping. Search by applying at the Probate Registry, 38 Queensway, Hong Kong (Tel: 2840 1683). Fee: HK$30 for a search.
• Safe deposit box: The will may be in a bank safe deposit box (see item 22 below)
• With the deceased's accountant or financial adviser

Visit each bank where the deceased held accounts, in person, with the death certificate and your own HKID. The bank will freeze all sole-name accounts and begin the bereavement process. Request a written confirmation of all account balances as at the date of death.

See our detailed guide: How to Recover a Deceased Person's Bank Accounts in Hong Kong

If the deceased was employed at the time of death, notify their employer promptly. Enquire about:

• Outstanding salary, commissions, or bonuses payable
• Group life insurance or death-in-service benefits
• Employer-sponsored MPF contributions
• Any outstanding leave pay or long-service payments
• Return of company property (laptop, phone, access cards)

If the deceased was the sole tenant, the tenancy agreement typically terminates upon death (though the estate remains liable for rent until the landlord is notified and the property is vacated). If the deceased was a joint tenant or had dependants living in the property, the situation is more complex.

Review the tenancy agreement for any specific clauses regarding death. Give formal written notice to the landlord.

If the deceased was the tenant (main applicant) of a public rental housing (PRH) flat, notify the Housing Authority immediately. A surviving family member listed on the tenancy may apply to succeed the tenancy by submitting a "Transfer of Tenancy" application.

Important: If the deceased was the sole occupant, the flat must be surrendered. If there are remaining household members not on the tenancy, they must apply for addition within a specified period or face eviction.

Housing Authority hotline: 2712 2712

To avoid ongoing charges to the estate:

• Electricity: CLP Power (2678 2678) or HK Electric (2887 3411) — arrange final reading and close account
• Gas: Towngas (2880 6988) — close account
• Water: Water Supplies Department (2824 5000)
• Telephone/Internet: Contact the relevant provider (HKT/PCCW, CMHK, 3HK, SmarTone, etc.)
• Mobile phone: Cancel or transfer the contract. The phone number may be transferred to a family member.
• Subscriptions: Cancel streaming services, newspapers, magazines, club memberships, gym memberships
• Credit cards: Notify issuing banks (balances become estate liabilities)

Apply to Hongkong Post for mail redirection from the deceased's address to your own. This ensures you receive important correspondence (bank statements, government notices, bills) that may reveal unknown assets or liabilities.

Hongkong Post: 2921 2222 | Apply at any post office | Fee: HK$480 for 3 months (local mail)

While it is legally possible to apply for probate without a solicitor (as a "personal applicant"), it is advisable to engage one for anything other than the simplest estates. A solicitor will:

• Advise on the type of application needed (Probate vs Letters of Administration)
• Prepare all court documents
• Handle court requisitions (the court's follow-up questions)
• Draft the Schedule of Assets and Liabilities

Typical fees: HK$20,000-80,000+ depending on estate complexity. Some solicitors offer fixed-fee packages for straightforward estates.

The Law Society of Hong Kong maintains a list of solicitors: 2846 0500 | www.hklawsoc.org.hk

Do not assume you know all of the deceased's assets. A thorough search should cover:

• All major Hong Kong banks (see our bank accounts guide)
• Insurance companies
• MPF trustees
• Securities brokerages
• Land Registry records
• Companies Registry records
• Overseas assets (see our overseas assets guide)
• Digital assets, cryptocurrency, online accounts

AssetCadet provides a comprehensive, professional asset search service — contact us for a free consultation.

Search for all life insurance, accidental death, critical illness, and general insurance policies. Check:

• Physical policy documents at home
• Regular premium deductions from bank accounts
• Correspondence from insurance companies
• The Insurance Authority does NOT maintain a central policy search, so you must contact each insurer individually

Major insurers in Hong Kong: AIA, Manulife, Prudential, Sun Life, HSBC Life, FWD, AXA, China Life, BOC Life, Zurich.

File a death claim as soon as possible. Most policies require notification within a specified period (commonly 30-90 days). Death benefit proceeds payable to a named beneficiary are typically not part of the probate estate.

The deceased's Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) accrued benefits must be claimed by the personal representative of the estate (i.e., the executor or administrator). Steps:

• Identify the MPF trustee(s): Check payslips, employer records, or the MPFA's ePA (electronic Personal Account) system
• Contact each MPF trustee to notify them of the death and request a balance statement
• Claim forms: Each trustee has its own claim process — generally requiring the death certificate and Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration

MPFA hotline: 2918 0102 | MPFA website: www.mpfa.org.hk

The Land Registry maintains records of all property ownership in Hong Kong. You can search by the deceased's name to find any properties registered in their name.

• How: Apply for a "land search against a name" (also called a "person search") at the Land Registry
• Where: Land Registry, 28/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong
• Fee: HK$25 per name search (online via IRIS — Integrated Registration Information System)
• Website: www.landreg.gov.hk
• Hotline: 3105 0000

If the deceased may have been a director or shareholder of any Hong Kong company, search the Companies Registry.

• How: Use the Companies Registry's online ICRIS (Integrated Companies Registry Information System) to search by director/secretary name
• Where: 14/F, High Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong
• Fee: HK$22 per document viewed online
• Website: www.icris.cr.gov.hk
• Hotline: 2867 2600

If the deceased held shares in private companies, the company's articles of association will govern how shares are transferred upon death.

If the deceased rented a safe deposit box at a bank, you cannot simply open it — even with a death certificate. A formal inspection process is required:

• Apply to: Estate Beneficiaries Support Unit (EBSU), Home Affairs Department, 3/F Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
• Tel: 2835 1535
• Process: Apply for a Certificate for Necessity of Inspection. An inspection will be conducted in the presence of government officers, bank staff, and the applicant. A detailed inventory is prepared.
• Removal of contents: Requires a separate authorisation, which is only granted after the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration is obtained

This is one of the most important documents for the probate application. It must list every asset and every liability of the deceased as at the date of death, including:

Assets:

• Bank account balances (all banks)
• Property (with market valuations)
• Stocks, bonds, and other investments
• Insurance policy values
• MPF balances
• Motor vehicles
• Valuable personal property (jewellery, art, etc.)
• Money owed to the deceased
• Overseas assets (listed separately by jurisdiction)

Liabilities:

• Outstanding mortgage balances
• Credit card debts
• Personal loans
• Tax obligations (salaries tax, property tax)
• Funeral expenses
• Any other debts

The application for a Grant of Probate (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will) is filed at the Probate Registry of the High Court of Hong Kong.

• Where: Probate Registry, LG/F, High Court Building, 38 Queensway, Hong Kong
• Tel: 2840 1683
• Key documents: Petition, affidavit of the applicant, original will (if any), death certificate, Schedule of Assets and Liabilities, administration bond (for intestate estates), renunciation forms from other entitled persons (if applicable)
• Filing fee: Proportional to estate value — HK$5 per HK$1,000 of estate value (minimum HK$265)
• Personal applicants: If applying without a solicitor, the Probate Registry offers guidance and has staff to assist

After filing, the Probate Registry will review your application. It is common for the Registry to issue requisitions — written requests for additional information, corrections, or clarifications. Typical requisitions include:

• Requests for additional evidence of the deceased's domicile
• Queries about missing beneficiaries
• Requests to amend the Schedule of Assets
• Questions about the validity of the will

Respond to requisitions promptly to avoid delays. Each round of requisitions typically adds 2-6 weeks to the timeline.

To protect yourself as executor/administrator from personal liability for unknown debts, you should publish a notice in:

• The Government Gazette: Apply through the Government Logistics Department (2537 5789)
• A Hong Kong newspaper: Typically the South China Morning Post (English) and a Chinese-language newspaper

The notice gives creditors a deadline (typically 2 months) to submit claims against the estate. After this period, you can distribute the estate without liability for claims you did not know about.

Gazette notice fee: Approximately HK$2,000-3,000 | Newspaper notice fee: Varies by publication

Obtain certified true copies of the Grant from the Probate Registry (you will need one for each bank and institution). Visit each bank, insurer, MPF trustee, and other institution holding the deceased's assets and present the Grant along with the Schedule of Assets.

Each institution will process the release of assets — typically into an estate account that you open in your capacity as executor/administrator. This process takes 1-4 weeks per institution. Asset collection includes:

• Bank account closures and fund transfers
• Insurance death benefit claims
• MPF withdrawal
• Securities liquidation or transfer
• Property title transfer (at the Land Registry)
• Safe deposit box content removal

Before distributing to beneficiaries, you must settle all of the deceased's debts from the estate funds. These include:

• Funeral and testamentary expenses (first priority)
• Outstanding taxes (salaries tax, property tax — contact the Inland Revenue Department: 187 8022)
• Secured debts (mortgages)
• Unsecured debts (credit cards, personal loans)
• Solicitor and professional fees for estate administration

If you published a notice for creditors (item 26), wait until the 2-month notice period expires before distributing the estate. This protects you from personal liability for unknown claims that were not submitted within the notice period.

Once all debts are paid and the creditor notice period has expired, distribute the remaining estate according to:

• If there is a will: According to the terms of the will
• If there is no will (intestacy): According to the Intestates' Estates Ordinance (Cap. 73):

Prepare a distribution account showing all assets collected, debts paid, and the final distribution to each beneficiary. Have each beneficiary sign a receipt.

Retain all estate administration records for a minimum of 6 years after the final distribution. This includes:

• The Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration
• All bank correspondence and balance confirmations
• The Schedule of Assets and Liabilities
• The distribution account
• Beneficiary receipts
• All invoices and receipts for estate expenses
• Tax filings and clearance letters

This protects you against any future claims or disputes.