There are lots of different ways to cater for a funeral. You can take things into your own hands, or you can bring in professional help with a catering service. Read on to find all the info you need on how to cater for a funeral.
How to cater for a funeral
Traditionally, there’ll be some sort of food at a funeral wake, giving guests a chance to eat and drink after a funeral service. While food isn’t essential, you may be wondering how to cater a funeral reception if this is something you’re considering. We’ve outlined the 3 most popular options below.
Catering for a funeral yourself
Catering for a funeral wake yourself tends to be one of the most popular options. It can make it more affordable, but will likely take more time, thought and effort. Just make sure you consider the number of guests and whether you’ll have the space to prepare and store the food. You might find it easier to ask for help from friends and family, with each person bringing something to share. It’s also a good idea to check whether your chosen venue will let you bring in your own food.
Using a catering company
A second popular choice is using a professional catering company. This tends to be more expensive than making the food yourself, as the company will have to cover costs of staff, kitchens and more. But it can free up your time in the lead up to the funeral. If you decide to use a catering company, try to take some time to compare local options and read reviews.
Going out for food or drinks
If you’re holding an unattended funeral, a smaller ceremony, or perhaps a celebration of life, you might want to consider going out for food or drinks to remember your loved one. This could be in their favourite restaurant or bar, or somewhere local that’s easy for people to get to. This can reduce the time spent preparing food and cleaning up after.
Things to consider when arranging funeral food
No matter which approach you choose, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Try to get rough numbers of how many people will be attending. This can help you to know how many to cater for at the funeral.
You should also try to consider your guests’ dietary requirements to make sure there’s something for everyone. This could mean including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
How much does it cost to cater a funeral?
A lot of people want to know the average cost of catering a funeral, but the truth is it can completely vary from one funeral to another. Factors like how many guests you need to cater for, what kind of food you’d like and where you’re based can all have an impact on price. Remember that you can make food for funerals work to any budget. Just make sure to set a clear limit from the start and take some time to consider the different options available to you.
Funeral food ideas
You can serve any type of food at a funeral. Here are some ideas that might help you settle on what to serve.
Finger food
Finger food for a funeral reception is a simple and straightforward way to offer guests something to eat. It’s easy to prepare and serve and can keep costs low. Some finger funeral food ideas include:
- Sandwiches
- Crisps
- Biscuits
- Salads
- Dips
A funeral buffet
If you’d like to serve hot food, you might want to consider a buffet. This is a popular option when using professional caterers, as they tend to have serving trolleys and dishes that can keep food warm, as well as funeral food platters for serving. Some good funeral buffet ideas include:
- Burgers
- Pasta
- Curry
- Potato dishes
- Vegetables
Remember the best food for a funeral is whatever suits you, your budget, and your wishes. If you’d like any further support, always feel free to reach out to your funeral director who’ll be able to make personalised recommendations.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.