Government Administration releases a statement regarding the expenses related to the funeral of Ilia II.

"Pursuant to Protocol N1 of the State Commission, dated 18-03-2026, relevant government agencies were assigned duties regarding the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. Specifically, the Ministry of Culture was tasked with organizing the ceremony.

Pursuant to Government Decree N589 of 20-03-2026, 3 000 000 GEL was initially disbursed from the Government Reserve Fund to the Ministry of Culture for expenses related to the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Subsequently, Government Decree N953 of 08-05-2026, amended this decision, revising the allocation down to 722 645 GEL and returning 2 277 355 GEL to the state budget.

Accordingly, the total expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Culture of Georgia in connection with the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, amounted to actual 722 645 GEL.

The Ministry of Culture concluded 26 contracts for the organization of the funeral ceremony:

1) TV Project LLC - Provision of an uninterrupted power supply and lighting in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 10 000 GEL;

2) Alpha Studio LLC - Provision of an uninterrupted power supply (generator services) in the areas surrounding Sioni and Holy Trinity Cathedrals - 21 800 GEL;

3) Luma Development LLC - Installation and arrangement of various structures and designated areas inside and around Holy Trinity and Sioni Cathedrals (glass podium, designated areas for journalists, camera operators, choirs, etc.) - 53 624.10 GEL.

4) GT Holding LLC - Provision of LED screens, sound systems, generators and layer scaffolding structures along the designated procession route within the grounds of Holy Trinity Cathedral and in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 133 230 GEL;

5) VT Service LLC - Transportation of students from traditional Georgian chanting schools in the regions, using 33 minibuses - 13 200 GEL;

6) Giorgi Kvizhinadze (Individual Entrepreneur) - Transportation of students from traditional Georgian chanting schools, using three buses - 2850 GEL;

7) Teleda LLC - Procurement of wine (406 bottles) for the funeral ceremony - 10 150 GEL.

8) Discovery LLC - Provision of accommodation for students from traditional Georgian chanting schools (hotel services during 21-23 March) - 29 400 GEL;

9) HMC Georgia LLC - Provision of accommodation for students from traditional Georgian chanting schools (hotel services during 21-23 March) - 33 880 GEL;

10) Floreria LLC - Procurement of flowers for decorating the interiors of Holy Trinity and Sioni Cathedrals and the funeral procession - 26 550 GEL.

11) GeoVoice LLC - Installation of various structures and provision of sound systems inside and around Holy Trinity and Sioni Cathedrals, including installation and dismantling services (sound equipment, audio engineering, layer scaffolding structures, LED screens, cable ducts and truss structures) - 215 600 GEL;

12) Tbilisi Hotels Holding LLC (Sheraton) - Organization of a memorial reception for 600 guests in connection with the funeral ceremony, including the provision of sound equipment, interpretation services and microphones - 93 886.70 GEL;

13) Tsira Chkonia (Individual Entrepreneur) - Procurement of flowers for decorating the cathedral interior and the funeral procession - 16 200 GEL;

14) VT Service LLC - Provision of transportation services using 15 minibuses (March 22) - 6000 GEL;

15) Tamam Yusif Gizi (Individual Entrepreneur) - Procurement of 10 metres of red velvet fabric - 300 GEL.

16) GGS Print LLC - Printing of access passes, badges, banners and invitations, as well as chair transportation services - 11 362.50 GEL;

17) Set Up Events LLC - Provision of crowd-control barriers, cable protectors and portable partition panels - 9740 GEL;

18) Tsira Chkonia (Individual Entrepreneur) - Procurement of flowers for decorating an open-top vehicle - 7850 GEL;

19) Favorite Style LLC - Production of 18 banners for layer scaffolding structures - 8050 GEL;

20) Jenny 1994 LLC - Provision of generator services to ensure an uninterrupted power supply - 8600 GEL;

21) TG-TV LLC - Provision of satellite communication services in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 1500 GEL;

22) Fury Filmworks LLC - Provision of a television camera crane in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 4531.20 GEL.

23) Giorgi Kobakhia (Individual Entrepreneur) - Provision of live broadcast signal transmission and live television coverage from the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 2000 GEL;

24) Levan Abuladze (Individual Entrepreneur) - Provision of aerial videography services using a drone - 700 GEL;

25) Ilia Kikabidze (Individual Entrepreneur) - Provision of live television broadcasting services via satellite transmission equipment, from 08:00 to 17:00 - 1000 GEL;

26) Aleksandre Khuntsaria (Private Individual) - Provision of television camera crane services in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral - 638 GEL.

Cleaning services at the cathedrals were provided free of charge by the following companies: Progress Service LLC, Litex Service LLC and GT Group LLC.

Aqua Geo LLC also donated 5000 bottles of water (0.5 litres each) free of charge.

In addition, several companies provided their services at discounted rates relative to the actual scope and value of the work performed.

Furthermore, none of the individuals involved in organizing the funeral ceremony, including the director and members of the creative and performing teams (singers, church chanters, etc.), received any remuneration or honoraria for their contributions", - reads the statement.