Embalming or a refrigerated coffin: which do you need?

Two measures, two different jobs

Relatives often treat these two services as interchangeable, as though one simply replaces the other. In fact they solve different problems. Cold creates the external conditions and holds back natural changes for a while, for as long as the unit is running. Embalming, on the other hand, prepares the body itself so that it stays presentable for several days even at room temperature. So the question "which is better?" is not quite the right one. A more useful way to put it is: for how long, in what conditions and for what purpose does your loved one need to lie in state? The answers to those three questions will lead you to the choice on their own.

The refrigerated coffin in brief

This is a cooled chamber with a transparent lid; the coffin is placed inside, and the unit is set up at home, in the room where the deceased lies. Its strength is simplicity: there is no intervention in the body at all, just steady cold, and those who come to say goodbye see their loved one through the glass. Its weakness is that the result depends entirely on the unit: the electricity supply, heat in the room and frequent opening of the lid all have a direct effect. A detailed technical description is on the refrigerated coffin page; here we only look at when it is sufficient.

Embalming in brief

Embalming is a specialist procedure: a preservative solution is injected into the body. As a result the deceased keeps a natural appearance for several days, even without refrigeration, in an ordinary room. The procedure takes a few hours and is done without relatives present, followed by washing and dressing and placing the deceased in the coffin. Methods and timings are described in detail on the embalming page. For this article only one thing matters: embalming frees the family from depending on the power supply, the season and the length of the journey.

When a refrigerated coffin is quite enough

The most common Georgian scenario looks like this: the deceased lies at home for one or two days, the funeral takes place in the same city or at a nearby cemetery, and the relatives live close by. If on top of that it is the cool part of the year - autumn, winter or early spring - the refrigerated coffin does the job by itself, with no extra measures. In this situation embalming usually turns out to be an unnecessary expense for the family. What is needed is the sanitary preparation and washing of the deceased, which are done in every case anyway, and correct placement of the unit in the room.

From the third day the picture changes

When the farewell lasts three days or more, relying on cold alone becomes increasingly risky. The lid is opened several times a day, people are constantly moving about the room, and every such minute gradually takes its toll. Relatives may notice the colour of the face changing, which is especially painful, because that final picture of someone you love is what memory keeps. So for a long farewell embalming is recommended, and the refrigerated coffin becomes an addition to it rather than a substitute.

Summer heat

In July and August, Tbilisi flats often heat up badly, especially on upper floors and on the sunny side of the building. On such days the load on the refrigeration unit rises, and after each opening the temperature takes longer to recover. In summer even a two-day farewell sometimes calls for embalming if the room does not cool down or there are many visitors. If the family plans to keep their loved one at home during the hot season, raise this point in the very first call, so that the specialist can assess the conditions in good time.

A long road to the village

Many Georgian families lay their dead to rest in the ancestral village, sometimes several hours' drive from Tbilisi, in the mountains or along a difficult road. In that case the refrigerated coffin does not work on the journey, and the electricity in a village house is often unreliable. If a farewell lasting several days is added to this, first in the city and then in the village, embalming gives the family the greatest peace of mind. The deceased bears the journey and the move to a new place in a dignified state, and the relatives have no extra worries on the road.

An open coffin for many hours

In Georgian tradition, those who come to offer condolences say goodbye at an open coffin, sometimes from morning until late in the evening. If the family wants the coffin to stay open for most of the day, the glass lid of the refrigerated unit limits that wish: opening it often and for long periods weakens the effect of the cold. After embalming, the deceased can lie peacefully in an open coffin, and guests can come closer, touch a hand and say goodbye in the way that is customary here.

Waiting for relatives from abroad

In almost every Georgian family someone lives abroad: a son or daughter, a sister, a brother, a grandchild. Finding a ticket, getting time off work and making the journey takes several days, and the family often decides to postpone the funeral procession until they arrive. Waiting of this kind points straight to embalming. A refrigerated coffin is useful here too, but on its own it does not guarantee that the person arriving will see the appearance the family hopes for. So if you know you are waiting for someone, decide about embalming on the first day: the sooner the specialist starts, the better the result.

Repatriation: there is no choice here

If the deceased has to be taken to another country, or brought home to Georgia from abroad, embalming becomes a mandatory step. Air transport and border crossings always require it, and the corresponding certificate is issued together with the other documents. In this scenario the refrigerated coffin plays only a supporting role, for example while the paperwork is being prepared. So with international transport the question "refrigeration or embalming" does not arise at all: embalming is necessary, and the other details are planned together with the family.

Together: when the combination works best

Embalming and a refrigerated coffin complement each other well. The combination is especially justified when the farewell is long and it is also summer, or when relatives are still on their way and the flat is warm. In such conditions embalming provides the main protection and the refrigerated coffin an extra safeguard, especially overnight, with the room empty and the lid shut. If the family wonders whether this is overdoing it, the specialist will assess the room on site and say honestly which component you can do without.

Religious traditions

Orthodoxy raises no objection to embalming; where the farewell is long, it has become normal practice. If the family has doubts, a short talk with the spiritual father is always appropriate. Muslim and Jewish traditions avoid embalming: in these communities the funeral happens quickly, often within a day of the death, and intervention in the body is considered unacceptable. For these families we offer cold only, along with ritual washing according to the community's rules. International transport may be an exception, and that question must be agreed with a cleric of the community.

Practicalities at home: electricity

The refrigerated coffin runs on mains power, and in a flat that is a very practical matter. You need a socket nearby that is not overloaded with other powerful appliances. If power cuts are common in your district or village, tell us in advance so that we can plan a backup supply. An embalmed body does not depend on this, and some families choose the procedure for exactly that reason, especially in the regions. If you have both, a brief power cut no longer poses a threat.

The room, the space and the noise

A refrigerated unit is usually larger than a coffin and needs a suitable spot in the room: a little away from the wall, away from radiators and direct sunlight. In a small flat this sometimes means moving furniture around. The unit runs quietly, but in the silence of the night you may notice the faint hum of the compressor, which bothers some families if they spend the night beside the deceased. With embalming there is only the coffin in the room, and more space remains. These small things seem minor, but over several days of farewell they noticeably affect the relatives' comfort.

If the home is not ready yet

Sometimes the household needs a little time to prepare: clear a room, gather relatives, choose between a farewell in town and one out in the village. During that period the deceased can be kept temporarily in special refrigerated conditions. Body storage gives relatives a few days to prepare calmly, after which the deceased is brought home or to a funeral hall. This route is especially convenient when the date of the farewell is not yet known or there is hardly any room in the flat for a refrigerated unit.

How the costs add up

The refrigerated coffin is charged per day, at 80 GEL a day, so its cost grows in proportion to the number of days of the farewell. Embalming is a one-off cost, from 200 GEL depending on the method. Storage in a refrigerated chamber costs 50 GEL per day. For a short farewell the refrigerated coffin is the most economical route, while for a long one the totals for both options draw closer, and the decision then depends less on price than on the quality of the result. Some families need both, and that expense is justified when the circumstances call for it.

Decision table by situation

Frequently asked questions