Emergency needs

It is possible for the funeral bill to be paid directly from the deceased’s estate if you apply through the Home Affairs Department by providing to them the necessary documentation for approval. On approval of the application, the Home Affairs Department will issue a 'Certificate for Necessity of Release of Money' which you will need to provide to us. Upon receiving the certificate, HSBC will pay the funeral undertaker by a cashier’s order. However, please do bear in mind that the Director of Home Affairs may not approve expenses that exceed HKD20,000.   

We will require the following documents in support of the request for release of funds: 

• Original or certified copy of Death Certificate of the deceased 
• Original Identity Card/Passport of the deceased
• Original Identity Card/Passport of the applicant
• Original proof of relationship, if any
• Original 'Certificate for Necessity of Release of Money' for funeral expenses issued by the Home Affairs Department
• Other documentation relating to the deceased/estate eg Savings Account Passbook

You will find the contact details and link for the supporting documents required by the Estate Beneficiaries Support Unit of the Home Affairs Department in useful contact.

To provide immediate financial relief to the former dependants of the deceased, you can apply for a 'Certificate for Necessity of Release of Money' with the Home Affairs Department to release money from the deceased’s bank account. The application criteria and information required to be submitted are available from the Home Affairs Department.

We will require the following documents in support of the request for release of funds:

• Original or certified copy of Death Certificate of the deceased 
• Original Identity Card/Passport of the deceased
• Original Identity Card/Passport of the applicant
• Original proof of relationship, if any
• Original ‘Certificate for Necessity of Release of Money’ for maintenance of former dependants issued by the Home Affairs Department
• Original Will of the deceased, if any

You will find the contact details and link for the supporting documents required by the Estate Beneficiaries Support Unit of the Home Affairs Department in useful contact.

This is step 3 of 5 outlined on the overview page. 

Bereavement Guide - you may save an electronic copy of the Bereavement Guide. Alternatively, you may print out the Bereavement Guide.