Choosing under pressure
In the first conversation with a funeral home, the family is asked about the date of the funeral, the place of farewell, transport and the coffin all at the same time. The coffin often turns out to be the most painful subject, because everyone will see it: relatives, neighbours and friends. Many people therefore worry that a simple model will look disrespectful. In reality guests rarely notice the material. What matters to them is a tidy setting, a calm ceremony and being close to the family. If you accept that thought early on, the decision becomes far easier, and it rests on your budget rather than on fear or a sense of shame.
Three main groups by material
For all the variety on offer, coffins on the market fall into three broad groups. The first is a pine frame covered on the outside with fabric: the most affordable and lightest option. The second is lacquered wood, stained and glossy, which looks more formal. The third is solid hardwood such as oak or walnut, where the natural grain of the timber is the main decoration. Within each group the price depends on the details, but the gap between groups is far wider. So settle on the group first, and only then on the specific model.
Fabric-covered pine
The fabric-covered coffin is the one you see most often at Georgian funerals, and it looks entirely dignified. The six-sided economy model costs 350 GEL, and the velvet-covered version 550 GEL. The main difference between them lies in the quality and texture of the outer fabric: velvet catches the light softly and looks richer. The weak point of this type is that the fabric gets wet in the rain and, during a long farewell, can gather dust. If the farewell takes place at home in a closed room, this is practically unnoticeable.
Lacquered coffins
The lacquered model, at 900 GEL, is finished with a deep, glossy coat. It is formal and solemn, looks good in a large hall and in photographs. The wood beneath the lacquer is often stained a dark colour, so even pine gives the impression of a noble timber. The surface is smooth to the touch, easy to wipe clean and copes better with bad weather. Note that lacquer and metal fittings rule out cremation: if the family is planning cremation, this option will not work. For a burial in the ground, however, it is one of the most popular mid-range choices.
Solid oak and walnut
A solid oak coffin costs 2,500 GEL and belongs to the premium category. The boards are whole, either unpainted or coated only with a clear finish, and the grain of the wood shows vividly on the surface. Such a coffin is noticeably heavier, needs more people to carry it, and can cause difficulties on a narrow staircase or in an old apartment block. Walnut is an even more precious timber, and walnut coffins are often made to order. Families choose solid wood when they want a traditional, substantial look and the budget allows it. The full contents of a formal ceremony are described on our premium funeral page.
Size: measure, do not guess
Getting the size wrong is one of the most distressing things that can happen in the days of mourning. Relatives often remember the person's height only roughly, and that is not enough. The inside of the coffin needs to be a few centimetres longer than the person was tall, leaving room for the pillow at the head and for shoes at the feet. The most reliable approach is for the specialist who prepares the body to take the measurement, or for you to measure with a tape from the crown of the head to the heel. Give the funeral home an exact figure, not a general estimate such as "he was about average height".
For a person of larger build
Width matters just as much as length. If the person who died was broad-shouldered or heavily built, a standard coffin may be too narrow, and it will be hard for the specialist to position the arms properly. In that case tell the funeral home the approximate weight and shoulder width in advance and ask for a wider model. A wide coffin takes up more space in the refrigeration unit, in the vehicle and in the grave, so early information lets the funeral home prepare every stage. There is nothing awkward about this at all; it is an ordinary professional question.
Depth and lid
The depth of a coffin, meaning the height of its sides, is often overlooked, yet it matters too. In a coffin that is too shallow, the pillow and the face end up close to the rim, which looks unnatural during the farewell. One that is too deep is heavy, and the person seems lost inside it. Lids vary as well: flat, stepped or domed. A stepped lid looks more formal, a flat one is the simplest of all. What the family really needs is a lid that closes snugly, opens easily for the farewell and does not wobble when the coffin is carried.
Interior lining and pillow
During an open-coffin farewell, the interior lining and the pillow are what people see most closely, so their quality counts for more than you might think. Cotton fabric is simple and modest, satin has a soft sheen, and gathered, pleated satin gives a richer impression. The pillow may be flat or slightly raised, which changes the position of the head. Families often choose white or pale cream linings, which bring light to the face. Check with the funeral home whether the lining, pillow and cover are included in the price or charged separately.
Shape: six-sided or rectangular
In Georgia the traditional coffin is six-sided, wide across the shoulders and slimmer at the foot end. It is compact and gives a Georgian funeral its familiar appearance. The four-sided, so-called "American" type is rectangular, often with a two-part lid, and is seen as more modern. The choice of shape is largely a question of aesthetics and family custom, but there is a practical side too: a rectangular casket is wider and heavier, and it needs suitable conditions for transport and storage. If you do not know what the person would have chosen, the six-sided shape is always a safe, traditional answer.
Colour, decoration and handles
When choosing a colour, families often take age and sex into account: dark brown or black for an older man, burgundy for a woman, lighter tones for a young person. This is only custom, not a rule. Decoration might be a cross on the lid, a gold trim or a carved edge. Handles, though, are above all a functional detail: they let the pallbearers hold the coffin securely. On some models the handles are purely decorative, on others they bear the full load, so ask the funeral home which kind your chosen model has.
A coffin for cremation
If the family chooses cremation, the requirements change sharply. The coffin must be plain, made of untreated wood, with no lacquer, paint, synthetic fabric or metal: no metal handles, decorative plates or metal ornaments. These materials are unsuitable for the cremation process, so they are not accepted. A cremation coffin costs 300 GEL. If plain wood feels too stark for the ceremony, it can be decorated with fresh flowers or a pall of natural fabric, which is removed before the process begins. Agree this choice with the funeral home in advance.
A coffin for repatriation
When someone who died abroad is brought home to Georgia, or the other way round, an ordinary wooden coffin is not enough. Air transport requires an inner zinc coffin that is hermetically closed and soldered shut, and then placed inside an outer wooden coffin. A sealed zinc coffin costs 1,200 GEL and is added to the cost of the wooden one. Ask the funeral home beforehand whether an open-faced farewell will be possible after arrival, because that depends on the specific circumstances. For documents and logistics, see our repatriation page.
A child's coffin
For a family saying goodbye to a child there is no harder ordeal, and every decision at that time is especially difficult. Children's coffins come in different lengths, from infant to teenage sizes, and are usually finished in light, white or soft colours. Prices start from 200 GEL. Here too the exact size is decisive, because a child's height varies so much with age. Many parents place a favourite toy, a small icon or a drawing in the coffin. You are entitled to ask the funeral home staff to talk this through with you slowly, gently and without unnecessary detail.
Prices at a glance
| Type of coffin | Price | For whom and when |
|---|---|---|
| Economy, six-sided | 350 GEL | A traditional funeral on a modest budget |
| Velvet-covered | 550 GEL | Farewell at home, a more elegant look |
| Lacquered | 900 GEL | Farewell in a hall, a formal ceremony |
| Solid oak | 2,500 GEL | A traditional, weighty and substantial choice |
| Cremation, untreated wood | 300 GEL | For cremation only |
| Sealed zinc inner coffin | 1,200 GEL | Air transport, in addition to the outer coffin |
| Child's coffin | from 200 GEL | Infant, child or teenager |
The full range, with photographs and dimensions, is in our coffin catalogue.
Avoiding overspending
An expensive coffin does not mean greater love, and it is worth saying that out loud. It is seen for only a few days during the farewell and then goes into the ground for ever. So before you contact a funeral home, agree an overall budget with the family and decide what you most want to spend money on: the wake (the Georgian memorial meal known as "kelekhi"), the headstone, a dignified ceremony. Ask for a complete price list and do not accept "everyone takes this one" as a reason. If you want a simple but dignified ceremony, look at the terms of our budget funeral, which keeps every essential stage.
Questions for the funeral home
- Can you send a photo of the exact coffin you will deliver, rather than a catalogue picture?
- Is this model in stock now, or will it take time to make?
- What does the price include: lining, pillow, cover, delivery?
- What are the internal length and width of the coffin?
- Can the coffin be exchanged if the family changes its mind?
- Does this model meet the requirements for cremation or air transport?
Get the answers, especially the price and dimensions, in writing as a message. That way the rest of the family can see exactly what was agreed.
Deciding together as a family
It often happens that one person chooses the coffin and the others later feel a different option would have been better. To avoid this, forward photos of two or three models sent by the funeral home to close relatives and choose together. If your loved one ever said what they wanted, for example "just bury me, no unnecessary expense", that is the weightiest argument of all, and honouring it is part of dignity too. A decision made jointly spares everyone reproaches and private doubts later, which is especially precious in a time of mourning.
Frequently asked questions
Which coffin should we choose on a tight budget?
The six-sided economy model is perfectly dignified and fits Georgian funeral tradition exactly. The money you save can go towards a better lining or another part of the ceremony.
Can a lacquered coffin be cremated?
No. Cremation requires a coffin of untreated wood with no lacquer and no metal parts. If cremation is planned, tell the funeral home in your very first conversation.
What happens if the coffin turns out to be the wrong size?
It is a serious problem that is often discovered at the last moment. That is why you should always measure rather than guess, and discuss width in advance if it might be an issue.
Can personal belongings be placed in the coffin?
For an ordinary burial, families often include an icon, a photograph, a letter or a small treasured object. For cremation, however, avoid metal, glass and anything electronic.
Is solid oak worth buying if the coffin is going into the ground anyway?
That is a matter of the family's taste and means. Solid wood gives a traditional, substantial look, but there is no obligation to choose it. If money is tight, a simple model is entirely sufficient.
What is the zinc coffin for when bringing someone home from abroad?
For air transport the body must be in a hermetically sealed, soldered inner coffin. The zinc container is placed inside an outer wooden coffin, and each is priced separately.
How does a velvet coffin differ from the economy model?
The frame is similar in both; the difference lies in the outer fabric and the finish. Velvet looks softer and richer, especially under artificial light indoors.
This choice can be made calmly and without needless expense. Send us your loved one's height and the budget you have in mind, and you will receive photos of the actual coffins currently in our warehouse. A consultant replies even at night, with no pressure at all, to measurements, questions and doubts alike: +995 568 33 03 18. Get in touch by text or voice only once you feel ready.