What an excellent idea to promote the sprinkling of ashes in gardens (Final resting place for your loved ones' ashes: A niche... the sea... and soon, a garden?; Oct 4).

Space is limited in Singapore. In time to come, columbariums will be competing for precious land.

Customs and practices do evolve.

Being an old man, I remember a time when there was resistance to cremation as an alternative to burial. Now, it is the norm.

It is a matter of making it easily available and socially acceptable.

There are two criteria which need to be satisfied.

First, the disposal should be clean and eco-friendly. Sprinkling the ashes in the ground is certainly that.

Second, there should be a place and a symbol where future generations can remember the deceased.

I propose that certain sites around well-loved trees or plants in the Botanic Gardens be reserved for this purpose.

An enclosure can be elegantly constructed and identified around certain trees or plants in the Gardens, so that future Singaporeans can tell their children: "This is where your grandfather was and now he is growing with this tree."

There is no need for individual names. There can be a common symbol for all.

If such a facility were made available, my wife and I would be the first to support it.

A worthwhile journey needs to start with the first step.

George Wong Seow Choon (Dr)