Embalming and sanitary preparation in Tbilisi - an embalming doctor 24/7

Embalming in plain terms - the procedure and our part in it

Embalming is a medical procedure in which a special preserving fluid is fed into the body through the blood vessels. The solution halts the natural breakdown of tissue, neutralises bacteria and keeps the skin's natural colour and the features of the face. As a result, the deceased can remain at home with dignity for seven to ten days at normal room temperature, without odour and without a sanitary risk.

Sanitary preparation is a separate step, although closely linked to embalming. It is the hygienic and ritual preparation of the deceased: washing, disinfection, care of the hair, shaving, closing the eyes and mouth, restoring a natural expression to the face and wrapping the body in a shroud. In Georgian tradition sanitary preparation is always carried out, while embalming is added when the farewell lasts longer than two days or there are special circumstances.

Embalming is especially necessary in the following situations:

• the farewell at home lasts three to seven days because relatives are travelling from the regions or from abroad;
• the summer months, when the room temperature is above 25 degrees and a refrigerated coffin alone is sometimes not enough;
• repatriation in either direction, since airlines and customs will not accept a coffin without an embalming report;
• a long illness, cancer or liver failure, after which the colour of the skin changes quickly;
• an accident or injury, when the family would like the face restored and a farewell with an open coffin;
• death from an infectious disease, when sanitary treatment is required by law.

Kinds of embalming and the right choice for each case

There is no one-size-fits-all procedure. The specialist chooses the method according to how long the farewell will last, where the ceremony will take place and the condition of the body.

Every procedure is performed by a specialist with a university medical degree and a background in pathology or forensic medicine. We use solutions certified in Europe with a low concentration of formalin, which do not harden the skin or leave a sharp smell.

Stages of the procedure, one by one

1. Advice by phone: the operator asks when the funeral is planned, where the deceased will be, and what the cause of death was. From those three answers the specialist chooses the type of embalming, and we tell you the exact cost straight away.
2. The specialist arrives: the embalming doctor comes within an hour with full equipment - portable instruments, solutions, disinfectants and protective gear. At home, all that is needed is a separate room and access to water.
3. Family consent and examination: a family member signs written consent, after which the specialist assesses the condition of the body and confirms the method. At this point relatives may ask anything they wish.
4. Sanitary treatment: the body is washed with antiseptic solutions, the natural openings are treated and everything is disinfected. This stage is common to every method and ensures hygienic safety.
5. Embalming itself: with the arterial method the solution enters the vascular system through one or two points; with the surface method it is applied locally, around the face and hands. The procedure takes one to three hours and is carried out without the family present.
6. Final preparation and placing in the coffin: at the end the specialist tends to the face, hair and hands, closes the eyes and mouth so the expression is calm, wraps the deceased in a shroud and lays them in the coffin. Relatives may be present for this last stage if they wish.

Embalming costs and what decides them

The cost depends only on the type of procedure, not on the hour at which you call. The specialist's visit within Tbilisi, the solutions and the equipment are all included. The price does not change after arrival unless the family itself opts for a different, longer-lasting method.

What mainly determines the price is the volume of solution and the method: arterial embalming takes more time, more preparations and more skill than surface embalming. The second factor is the condition of the body, as additional restoration is needed after an injury or a long illness. The third is the purpose: for repatriation, embalming is done at a higher concentration and with formal documentation.

Documents required before we begin

Embalming is an invasive procedure, so it may be carried out only on a lawful basis and with the family's permission. We ask for as few documents as possible, and anything the family or customs will need afterwards we prepare ourselves.

• the medical certificate of death, confirming the fact and cause of death; without it the specialist has no right to begin;
• written consent from a family member to the embalming, which you fill in and sign on the spot using our form;
• the ID of the person signing the consent;
• after a sudden death, the forensic findings or the investigator's permission, because embalming is forbidden before the forensic examination;
• if the death was caused by an infectious disease, the attending doctor's note on sanitary precautions, which tells the specialist what extra protection to take.

After the procedure we issue an embalming report stating the method, the preparation used and the specialist's signature. For repatriation this report is mandatory for the consulate and the airline, and our lawyer prepares it together with the rest of the paperwork.

Safety, hygiene and questions of faith

Where the procedure can be done

For embalming at home, a separate room that can be closed during the procedure and access to water are enough. The specialist brings a waterproof covering to protect the floor and furniture, and afterwards the room is cleaned and disinfected completely. If conditions at home are not suitable, the procedure takes place in a hospital or forensic morgue, or in an equipped room at our funeral hall.

The preparations we use

We work only with certified European-made solutions containing a minimal concentration of formaldehyde, with additives that preserve and soften the colour of the skin. These solutions leave no sharp smell, which matters particularly for a farewell inside an apartment.

Orthodox and other traditions

The Georgian Orthodox Church does not forbid embalming; when a farewell stretches over several days it is regarded as normal practice. Muslim and Jewish traditions, as a rule, do not accept embalming and call for a quick burial, usually within a day. In such cases we offer only sanitary treatment and the ritual washing, in the presence of a cleric or a representative of the community.

Reasons to trust our embalmers

• On duty 24/7: the result of embalming depends on time - the sooner, the better. That is why our specialists work in shifts, and a night call is also answered within the hour.
• Practical experience: our doctors are used to demanding cases, including complex restoration and preparation for repatriation to the international standard that European customs accept without objection.
• Transparency: the price is set by the type of procedure and given over the phone. No extra charges for preparations, the call-out or night-time.
• Confidentiality and respect: the procedure takes place in a closed room, and the specialist never takes photographs or discusses details with outsiders. He tells relatives only what they themselves want to know.
• Medical qualification: embalming is done by a doctor, not by a general staff member. This rules out errors in the dosage of the solution and gives a natural rather than a "waxy" appearance.

Frequently asked questions