Catering Ideas for Funerals, Memorials and Wakes

When organising a funeral, memorial, or wake, you may want to consider hiring a professional catering service, especially for larger gatherings. They provide expert advice, handle all arrangements, and ensure that the food and presentation is appropriate for the day. They also understand the occasion and won’t serve anything unsuitable. Some venues may also offer a catering service, which can take the stress out of organising this yourself while you are already grieving.

However, if you would like to have a say in what is served, or you would prefer to stay busy and organise something yourself, here are some catering suggestions to consider.

1. Tea, coffee and biscuits

Everyone knows that even on a bad day, a warm drink offers a moment of solace. You can organise a large hot water urn and cups on a table, so people can serve themselves. Some simple biscuits can also be a nice touch. Warm beverages aside, also have water on offer.

2. A specialty drink, if appropriate

If you would like to honour a loved one, or they have requested this in their funeral wishes, you can serve their favourite alcoholic spirit or cocktail. This is likely more appropriate for a wake or a memorial than a funeral, however, there are no rules to this thing. Keep in mind that not everyone can or wants to drink alcohol, so be sure to provide non-alcoholic drink options too. Not sure it’s okay to serve alcohol? Learn more here.

3. Opt for simpler foods

For funerals or memorial services, finger foods are best. This includes easy-to-eat options such as sandwiches, pastries, fruit platters and/or vegetable platters with dips and crackers. If you are catering at your own home for a memorial, or friends and family have offered to cater for you, consider comforting dishes such as casseroles, meatloaf or lasagna.

Be sure to cater for all allergies and dietary restrictions if you can. For example, provide a vegetarian option or perhaps even gluten-free options. It’s important to cater to your guests, so, if you know that the majority of your guests do not eat meat, for example, you can opt for an all-vegetarian buffet. 

4. Honour their memory with sweet desserts

Desserts like cakes, pastries, brownies or cookies are a nice final touch. You can even include your loved one’s favourite sweet treat to honour their memory if desired. 

Wrap up

While it’s important to cater to allergies and common dietary restrictions, you can tailor the funeral, memorial or wake and do whatever feels right to you. While it can be nice to add a personal touch such as a specialty cocktail or dessert, it is also perfectly okay to hire a professional service and ask them to make all the arrangements. This is a difficult time for you and your family, so be kind to yourself as you take the time to grieve. 

Did you find this blog helpful? If your friends and family are asking how they can help you during this difficult time, you can send them our guide to Sympathy Meal Recipe Ideas.