Updated 30/09/2026
Catering for a funeral might be last thing on your to-do list, especially if you’re in mourning. However, with a little pre-planning, you can tick catering off your list and, when the time comes, enjoy freshly prepared food that helps make a funeral, wake or family gathering feel personal and appropriate, giving friends and family one less thing to worry about.
How much should you budget for funeral catering?
Budgeting for catering can depend on a couple of factors; has there been any money put to one side to accommodate for food during the funeral? If not, then consider roughly how much you’re comfortable spending.
Catering prices can differ depending on the item, and how many people are scheduled to attend. If you’re serving food after the main ceremony where there’s an open invite, you may benefit from selecting an “average” attendee number and offering a selection of food so there’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Funerals can be stressful enough, and so many people decide that they do not want the hassle of organising the food themselves, as they will already have enough to think about on the day.
That’s why families turn to outside caterers for help such as us; Posh Nosh. This makes it much easier to set a budget that they can work within.
What food should you serve at a funeral or wake?
Your budget is roughly sorted, now you need to consider the types of food you want to provide. There are lots of options to choose from, with some buffet options including a selection of foods within them.
For example, we create individual buffet boxes which include a freshly prepared sandwich, savoury sides, crisps and a sweet treat (of course) these can be an ideal choice if you’re catering for a small group of family and friends.
Alternatively, buffet platters can feed larger numbers and have a wider selection of sandwiches and savoury items within the menu. We recommend taking a look at our Classic and Premier menus which are perfect for sharing.
Classic Menu 1
A lighter lunch, freshly prepared and ideal for meetings (Minimum Order 4) Product may differ from image
Premier Menu 1
Our sharing buffet is perfect for meetings & team lunches (Minimum Order 4) Product may differ from image
Signature Menu 1
A premium working lunch menu (Minimum order 4) Product may differ from image
Many funerals tend to offer simple finger food. The people in attendance are there to pay their respects to someone and not for the food, so it does not always need to be extravagant. Simple ideas such as an afternoon tea which may consist of sandwiches, cheese, crisps, salads and dips always tend to be welcome.
You could also include some hot buffet food like pasta, potato dishes, pies, vegetables and pizza. Sweet treats are always welcome on a buffet, and these could take the form of cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, biscuits, brownies or even sweets.
Are there special dietary requirements?
It is important to establish whether there are any specific dietary requirements that you need to be aware of, although the organisers may not always know the answers to this.
You therefore need to think about everyone and try to ensure that there is something on the menu that is suitable for vegan guests, and also look to produce some special dietary catering such as gluten-free or dairy-free options. To avoid any confusion, all dishes should be clearly labelled.
Custom Box 1 (Meat)
A specially prepared lunch free from garlic, onion, mushroom, fish, coriander, black pepper, chilli, peppers, tomatoes, kiwi, citrus fruit, and berries.
Custom Box 2 (Veggie)
A specially prepared lunch free from garlic, onion, mushroom, fish, coriander, black pepper, chilli, peppers, tomatoes, kiwi, citrus fruit, and berries
How much food should you order?
Similarly to understanding your budget, this will all fall into place once you have a better sense of the number of people attending. If you’re certain only invitees will be present during the buffet you can stick to a clearer idea of how much food to provide per person. If there could be further guests arriving later, you may want to consider a general average number of guests.
Or you may want to consider how many items can be enjoyed per person:
| Item |
Approximate Amount Per Guest |
| Sandwiches |
Allow around 4–6 sandwich quarters per person. |
| Savoury items |
Allow around 2–3 pieces per person. |
| Crisps / light snacks |
Allow around 1 small portion per person. |
| Salad / cold sides |
Allow around 1 small portion per person. |
| Cake / sweet items |
Allow around 1–2 pieces per person. |
| Tea / coffee |
Allow at least 1–2 servings per person. |
Buffet platters and grazing boards are great choices if you need flexibility, whereas individual buffet boxes or salad bowls might be a more cost-effective choice if you have a clearer number of guests.
Our buffet menus are home to a wide range of delicious buffet platters, grazing boards, hot food ideas, special diet menus and even local suppliers options.
Making the catering personal
If you have buffet ideas in mind, it’s a good idea to consider whether there were any last wishes of the deceased that can be showcased as a tribute to them, perhaps a favourite dish or food item, snack or sweet treat. Avoid presenting foods that they disliked, this way the ceremony will continue to feel personal to family and friends throughout the day.
Where is the funeral, wake or ceremony taking place?
It is important to think about where the wake or gathering will be held, as this can sometimes dictate what food you serve. Some public places will not be able to give you access to a kitchen, so you will need to stick to serving cold food or rely on outside caterers who are able to bring cooking and warming equipment with them.
If the wake is taking place in somebody’s home, then space might be limited, both for the preparation and the laying out the buffet, and so it is important to think about the best ways that this can work.
Hire a caterer or do it yourself?
Our catering and buffet options can take away a lot of the stress of funeral catering.
At Posh Nosh, we are able to work to all kinds of budgets and can create an array of food that will suit all sorts of individual needs. Our team will fly under the radar and ensure guests remain happy, allowing it to be a time where you can show love and exchange memories without needing to worry about what food is being served.
Of course, if you would prefer to prepare your own funeral catering buffet, particularly for a small gathering, we hope this guide and our menus have provided some inspiration for creating a simple, thoughtful spread.
Ultimately, when catering for a funeral, it is important to remember that the food is not the most important factor of the day. Whether you cater for the gathering yourself or use a professional caterer, considering the preferences of the person being remembered can help to create a meaningful and relaxed setting for family and friends.
Doing it yourself can be more cost-effective, particularly for a small gathering. However, remember to factor in more than the price of the ingredients. Shopping, preparation, refrigeration, transporting the food, setting up the buffet and clearing away afterwards can all require time and help from family or friends.
That’s where we can help.
