Government publishes a statement on costs of Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral
The Georgian Government Administration has released a statement on the costs of the funeral of Ilia II, late Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
“Under Protocol No. 1 of 18 March 2026 of the State Commission for the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the agencies responsible for organising the funeral were designated. Among them was the Ministry of Culture, which was tasked with organising the funeral ceremony.
Under Government Decree No. 589, issued on March 20, 2026, the Government Reserve Fund allocated GEL 3,000,000 to the Ministry of Culture to cover the funeral costs for the late Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.
Government Decree No. 953 of 8 May 2026 amended Decree No. 589, reducing the amount allocated to the Ministry of Culture from the Reserve Fund to GEL 722,645; therefore, GEL 2,277,355 was returned to the budget.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture’s total spending on the funeral of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, came to GEL 722,645.
The Ministry of Culture signed 26 contracts to organise the ceremony:
1. TV Project LLC – uninterrupted power supply and lighting around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 10,000
2. Alpha Studio LLC – uninterrupted power supply (power generator services) around Sioni and Sameba cathedrals – GEL 21,800
3. Luma Development LLC – installation of various structures and spaces in and around Sameba and Sioni cathedrals (glass podium, press area, camera operators’ area, choir area, etc.) – GEL 53,624.10
4. GT Holding LLC – LED screens, sound, generators and Layher scaffolding structures in the grounds of Sameba Cathedral, along the procession route and around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 133,230
5. VT Service LLC – transport for pupils of lotbari schools from the regions, 33 minibuses – GEL 13,200
6. Individual entrepreneur Giorgi Kvizhinadze – transport for Lotbari school pupils, 3 buses – GEL 2,850
7. Teleda LLC – purchase of wine (406 bottles) for the funeral – GEL 10,150
8. Discovery LLC – accommodation for Lotbari School pupils (hotel services, 21–23 March) – GEL 29,400
9. HMS Georgia LLC – accommodation for Lotbari School pupils (hotel services, 21–23 March) – GEL 33,880
10. Floreria LLC – flowers for the interiors of Sameba and Sioni cathedrals and the funeral procession – GEL 26,550
11. Geovoice LLC – installation of various structures and sound systems in and around Sameba and Sioni cathedrals, including assembly and dismantling (sound, sound engineering, Layher structures, LED screens, cable ducts, truss structures) – GEL 215,600
12. Tbilisi Hotels Holding LLC (Sheraton) – memorial meal for 600 guests, including sound equipment, interpreting and microphones – GEL 93,886.70
13. Individual entrepreneur Tsira Chkonia – flowers for the cathedral interior and the funeral procession – GEL 16,200
14. VT Service LLC – 15 minibuses (22 March) – GEL 6,000
15. Individual entrepreneur Tamam Yusuf Kizi – 10 metres of red velvet – GEL 300
16. GGS Print LLC – printing of passes, badges, banners and invitations, and transport of chairs – GEL 11,362.50
17. Set Up Events LLC – barriers, cable ducts and cable protectors – GEL 9,740
18. Sole trader Tsira Chkonia – flowers for the open vehicle – GEL 7,850
19. Favoriti Stili LLC – 18 banners for scaffolding structures – GEL 8,050
20. Jeni 1994 LLC – generator services for uninterrupted power – GEL 8,600
21. TG-TV LLC – satellite link around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 1,500
22. Fury Filmworks LLC – TV crane services around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 4,531.20
23. Sole trader Giorgi Kobakhia – live signal and live TV broadcast from around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 2,000
24. Sole trader Levan Abuladze – drone filming – GEL 700
25. Sole trader Ilia Kikabidze – live TV broadcast via satellite transmitter (08:00–17:00) – GEL 1,000
26. Individual Aleksandre Khuntsaria – TV crane services around Sioni Cathedral – GEL 638
Progress Service LLC, Litex-Service LLC, and GT Group LLC provided complimentary cleaning services for the cathedral.
Aqua Geo LLC donated 5,000 half-litre bottles of water free of charge.
In addition, several companies provided their services at reduced prices.
Those involved in organising the event, including the director and the creative and performing team (singers, chanters, etc.), received no fee,” the Administration of the Government of Georgia said in its statement.