Funeral wreaths and accessories in Tbilisi - prices, ribbon messages, delivery

Fresh or artificial flowers

Tradition allows either, and the choice depends on how long the wreath needs to last and where it will stand.

Fresh flowers

Roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies and calla lilies arranged on floral foam that holds moisture. A fresh wreath looks its best while the farewell lasts and in church, but at the cemetery it lasts three to five days before the flowers wilt and the family clears it away. In summer heat that time is even shorter.

Artificial flowers

Flowers made from fabric and polymer that stand up to sun and rain: on the grave they last until the 40th-day memorial, sometimes until the first anniversary. From a distance a good-quality artificial wreath is indistinguishable from a fresh one, and many families choose it precisely for that reason - it keeps the memory alive for longer.

Combined

An artificial base with a centre of fresh flowers. During the farewell the fresh part sits in the middle, and after the funeral it can be removed, leaving an artificial wreath on the grave.

Catalogue and prices

The price of every wreath includes one ribbon with a message and delivery within Tbilisi. Large wreaths come with a free stand.

Ribbon messages: what to write and how

The ribbon is the most personal part of a wreath, and it is what mourners read when they come to say goodbye. The message should be short, usually two lines: the person it honours and the names of those sending it. One ribbon holds up to 40 characters; for a longer text we use two ribbons, one on the left and one on the right.

• From the family: "To our dear mother, from her children and grandchildren", "To my beloved husband", "To our dad, forever in our hearts".
• From friends: "To an unforgettable friend", "To a childhood friend, from Giorgi and Nino".
• From colleagues: "To a dear colleague, from the staff", "To Davit, from everyone at the company".
• From neighbours: "To a kind neighbour, from the residents of entrance four".
• General: "May they rest in the Kingdom of Heaven", "Remembered, loved, mourned", "In loving memory".

The message can be printed in Georgian, Russian, English or in two languages at once. Send the text to us on WhatsApp to avoid mistakes: before printing we send you a photo of the ribbon to check, which matters most when the text includes first names and surnames.

Funeral accessories and their meaning

Accessories are the items that lie in the coffin or stand beside it during the farewell. Each has its own purpose and symbolism, and families often do not know which are essential and which are optional.

• Burial sheet: the white cloth that covers the deceased. It is required in the Orthodox rite and often carries an embroidered cross or the words of a prayer.
• Forehead band: a strip of paper or fabric printed with a prayer and holy images, laid on the forehead of the deceased. It is part of church tradition and usually comes in the set.
• Candlesticks and candles: they stand at the head and foot of the coffin and stay lit throughout the farewell. Metal ones are sturdier, wooden ones more traditional.
• Icon and hand cross: laid in the hands of the deceased or on their chest. Families often choose an icon of their own that the person was fond of.
• Pillow: satin or cotton, often filled, following an old Georgian custom, with fir sprigs or fragrant herbs.
• Grave cross: a temporary wooden cross erected at the burial, which stays until the headstone is installed, usually around the first anniversary.
• Photo frame with a mourning ribbon: placed at the head of the coffin or by the entrance to the house, so that visitors know whom they are mourning.
• Black bow on the door: a traditional sign that the household is in mourning. It usually stays up until the 40th day.

The language of flowers at a funeral

In funeral floristry every flower carries its own meaning, and many families choose a wreath on that basis, especially when they want it to reflect the character of the person or their relationship with them.

• White rose: purity and eternal memory. It is most often brought to the funeral of a young person, a mother or a grandmother.
• Dark red rose: love and grief. Traditionally it is chosen by a spouse or someone very close.
• Carnation: loyalty and respect. In Georgia it is the most widespread funeral flower, usually red, and it is often used for wreaths from colleagues and organisations.
• Chrysanthemum: long life and peace. It stays fresh for a long time, which makes it the best base for a fresh wreath.
• White lily: renewal of the soul and a peaceful passing. In Orthodox symbolism it is associated with the Mother of God and often adorns the coffin.
• Calla lily: grandeur and dignity. It features in modern, understated wreaths and is often chosen for a man's funeral.
• Fir and boxwood: eternal life. They form the base of a wreath, and by old Georgian custom the sprigs also go into the pillow.

If you are unsure what to choose, tell us in a few words about the person and what they meant to you, and the florist will suggest a fitting combination.

Etiquette: who brings wreaths and what happens to them afterwards

By Georgian custom the family itself needn't buy many wreaths: it usually orders one or two, and relatives, colleagues and neighbours bring the rest. Wreaths are brought to the home or the hall while visitors are still coming to pay respects, and when the funeral day comes they follow the coffin to the cemetery.

A bouquet or a basket of flowers always contains an even number of stems: an odd number is a sign of celebration, an even number a sign of mourning. White and dark red are the usual colours, and for a young person often only white. By tradition yellow and orange flowers are avoided.

After the funeral the wreaths are laid out on the grave. The family clears away the fresh ones after a few days, while artificial wreaths stay until the 40th day or the first anniversary, until work on finishing the grave begins. Many families keep the ribbons as a memento.

Ordering a wreath

1. Choice and text: pick a wreath from the photos we send to WhatsApp and write us the text for the ribbon.
2. Proof: before printing we send a photo of the ribbon so you can check the name and wording.
3. Delivery: an artificial wreath within an hour, a fresh one within two to three hours. We deliver to the home, the funeral hall, the church or straight to the cemetery in time for the burial.
4. If you are far away: when you cannot come, from abroad for instance, we deliver the wreath in your name. You can pay by card or bank transfer, and we send you a photo of the wreath in place.
5. From an organisation: for companies, schools and public bodies we issue an invoice to the legal entity and print the organisation's full name or logo on the ribbon. Such orders can be paid by bank transfer after delivery.

Frequently asked questions