An Irish flag makes an appearance in a bizarre line of customised caskets which has been introduced by a Texas company called WhiteLight.

The designs include "Fairway to Heaven" - a coffin emblazoned with a mural of a golf course - and "Return to Sender" - a steel casket that looks like a wrapped parcel ready for shipping to the Pearly Gates.

But there too in the company's "spring collection" is the aforementioned Irish flag or Our Lady of Guadalupe or an AIDS ribbon. According to company spokesman, Patrick Fant, any picture can be reproduced, thanks to a revolutionary process that covers the entire casket exterior with a "digitally imaged photo laminate mural".

Enquiries to Mr Fant only.