In some countries, like Britain and Australia, there is a growing use of wicker coffins made from dried reeds, such as from willow trees.
My family heard of this and, as such coffins are not available here, had one flown into Singapore for our mother, who died last year.
The cost of the coffin, including air freight fees, was lower than the price of the usual wooden ones from funeral companies here.
It can also be more easily decorated with flowers.
Although the topic of coffins may be sensitive to some, and the use of wooden coffins for sending off the dead is an entrenched practice, the threat of global warming requires that we be willing to change some long-held views and do what we can to save our world.
My family will continue to see wicker coffins as the better ecological choice.
If more Singaporeans join our effort to be greener, the increase in demand for such coffins will result in their being available locally.
Lily Leong Siew Wah (Ms)