Dites à mes amis que je suis mort

We are in western Georgia. Here, according to custom, the dead are not separated from the living. People involve them in their family life, talk to them and seek their advice. They protect the dead and they hope the dead will protect them.The family is never alone. The neighbours are there to keep up their spirits, to help them with the ceremony: "Everything has to be properly done". Tsotne, dressed in his best suit gets ready to "welcome the guests". The condolences ceremony starts at eight o'clock in the evening.