Planning a reception for a funeral service can be draining. It's something that you have to do when you're at your lowest emotionally. And there's never any way out of it, really. The people coming to mourn with you often endure long hours of travel to show their support and sympathy. On your part, you have to ensure that they're comfortable and well-fed, something you'll have to organize amidst grief and sorrow. 

Knowing how challenging organizing a funeral reception can be, we want to help you choose the best funeral catering service provider and the factors to consider. We also explore a few popular traditional funeral catering ideas and what to include in the menu. 

Tips For Choosing A Catering Service Provider

Whether you're expecting a large gathering or a limited guest list of friends and family, people must eat. Since you already have much to deal with, you'll need help organizing the menu and preparing those delicious treats. That's where a funeral catering service provider comes in. Again, there are a few factors to consider when searching for the right provider to work with. Below are some of them.

First, Understand Your Needs

First, Understand Your Needs

Before settling for the catering company across the street, you want to ensure they are up to the task and can deliver satisfactory services. You don't want to compound an already solemn occasion with disappointment and frustrations in the form of poor services. 

To avoid this, sit down with the family and decide on the services you're looking for. Do you prefer a formal meal arrangement or a family-style luncheon? Would you rather have a relaxed buffet-style function? 

You may expect a limited number of people in attendance, which you could do with some high tea or snacks. Your decision should also factor in the venue of the service. It could be a community center, a church hall, or private social grounds. 

Also, decide if you prefer the reception at the home compound. This step is always the hardest because you may not know how many will attend. If the deceased was very social, you should expect more people to attend their memorial service. If they belonged to a local religious community, ask the church leadership for some guidance on attendance. They may have an estimation of the number of brethren likely to attend, which is a good starting point.

Next, Do Your Research

Once you know how many people will be fed and where you'll host them, it's time to talk to a catering service provider for your funeral reception. It's advisable to start with local companies in your area as this will lessen logistics requirements and make planning more efficient. When choosing a provider, accessibility, and convenience should take center stage. 

Research all available options in your area, focusing on companies that serve families during funerals. Visit their websites, read the reviews, and ask for referrals from those who have used their services before. 

Prioritize catering companies with experience in funeral catering and read testimonials from previous clients:

• Are they praised for their professionalism? 
• Are they flexible and understanding?
• Can they have unique preferences?
• What's their overall reputation in the community?

The following tips can be helpful when making your selection.

1. Go for Those Offering Versatile Menu Options 

The best caterer should offer a variety of menu options. They should also be able to offer customized meals that suit the needs of the bereaved family. They should also be ready to accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions for those with allergies or eating habits. If they meet the cut, you may want to have a tasting session to ascertain the quality of their food and judge the presentation. 

2. Look Into Their Service Offerings

The ideal catering company should be able to offer additional services beyond food and beverage. Check to see if they provide settings, decor, and staff. How professional is their team to manage mourners? Their services should be nothing short of excellence. 

3. Evaluate Their Professionalism

As with other funeral service providers, you want to work with a professional culinary expert who knows what they're doing. They should know how to handle grieving clients, offer prompt responses to queries, and be quick to understand your needs. In this case, experience in funeral catering is an essential requirement. 

Furthermore, they should be able to handle unforeseen incidents and work independently with little to no involvement on your part. You want someone dependable enough to deliver exceptional service in your absence since you'll be too preoccupied on the day of the funeral. Select a punctual caterer who can go about their work discreetly without any inconvenience and, most importantly, has a warm and empathetic attitude. 

The best catering service provider will not disturb or interrupt the service with their work, meaning they should know how to handle logistics seamlessly. You want someone who will do their job without interference so you can focus on the reason behind the occasion: honoring your loved one. 

4. Check On Their Pricing

Funerals are expensive, which just goes to show how costly it is to die. Remember that catering is just one of the services you'll need throughout the funeral planning process. So, before settling on the best caterer, you should be mindful of their pricing and only go where you're assured of value for money. Compare their pricing against other providers and find out if there are any hidden charges. Request a comprehensive quote and compare your options. 

5. Confirm Their Availability

The last thing you want to deal with when grieving is no-show providers on the day of the funeral reception. Are they booked elsewhere on the same day? Can they set up the venue early and serve guests on time? Do they have a backup plan in case of anything?

6. See if They're Legit

By legit, they should be fully licensed to feed people in such gatherings. Their services should be legal, hygienic, and professional. Since mistakes and accidents happen all the time, they should be insured against potential losses or damages to cutlery, dishware, furniture, and similar property. Neither you nor mourners should be held liable for such losses.

Contact Potential Caterers

Once you've done your homework, you can contact your preferred provider by either calling them or arranging a physical meeting. Use the opportunity to make more inquiries and set expectations. Discuss pricing and payment options, discounts, and additional services. A physical meeting is also an opportunity to judge their character because you want to work with someone who radiates empathy and warmth during such a difficult time. 

What Foods To Serve At A Funeral Reception?

Now that you have a reliable partner to cater to your guests' needs when you're overwhelmed, there's one last thing left to make the event a success. Here are a few timeless and traditional funeral catering ideas and food options to include on the menu. 

1. Family-Style Meals

Food and funerals have a way of bringing people together. Family ties grow stronger when we bond over meals during important events. A funeral is one of those events where family reunions are guaranteed, and you can make it complete with a large meal where guests can converse and catch up. Family-style meals are perfect for sharing memories of the departed, which is both comforting and encouraging. 

2. Finger Funeral Foods

Finger foods are popular with funeral receptions; you should consider incorporating them. They're flexible bites that mourners can serve on the go and return for more. Your guests will definitely appreciate having something to bite anytime the hunger and craving strikes. Examples of finger foods to try include:

• Fruit salads 
• Tiny sandwiches
• Vegetable platters 
• Deviled eggs
• Charcuterie boards

3. Potluck Style 

The potluck-style food evokes a sense of community and is ideal for a funeral reception where most attendees are neighbors, parishioners, and well-wishers. It calls for a careful selection of meals, including the popular potato casserole dish, aka "funeral potatoes," made with heavy cream, grated potatoes, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese, complete with crushed cornflakes for a crunchy topping. Other 

funeral casseroles include:



• Spaghetti casserole
• Tuna casserole
• Green bean casserole
• Stuffing casserole
• Tuna casserole
• Meatball casserole
• Chicken Florentine casserole

A potluck-style menu may also feature salads, tomato soups, grilled chicken sandwiches, or light desserts. However, you should limit the number of soups served and instead keep it simple and less messy. Also, a heavy meal may be unnecessary for such an occasion. 

4. High Tea

High teas help keep things elegant yet simple. They're perfect for a buffet-style funeral gathering, and they're also a great choice if you expect high-end attendance or the deceased belongs to a sophisticated social class. 

A high tea menu can cater to various dietary preferences since it is flexible and typically features an assortment of finger foods to moderate meals. 

Soft beverages, pastries, and clotted cream are a few examples of what makes a perfect high tea. 

5. Custom-Themed Menus

Custom-themed menus allow you to create your own selection of food presentations, which can include anything from your local cuisine to the deceased's favorite dishes. The menu may also reflect what the loved one enjoyed while alive, such as their hobbies and interests. 

For example, if they were wanderlust, you could incorporate different cuisines from places they recently traveled to or from cultures they loved. Finish it off with your family's traditional dish or their favorite childhood meal. The perfect custom-themed menu should include food counters like salad bars, taco stations, or pasta counters. 

6. Gourmet Boxed Meals

Death and grief have a way of numbing us and robbing us of the joy of socializing during funerals. You may feel too drained to plan a gathering for mourners and would prefer to mourn in private, which is understandable. If that's the case, arrange for the caterer to prepare and deliver gourmet boxed meals to neighbors in your community. 

You can prepare customized baked treats and have them delivered to families. However, this option may be expensive as it factors in delivery and packaging costs, so you may opt for alternative options if your budget allows it. 

In Summary

Surrounding yourself with well-meaning people during dark moments can be comforting and reassuring. After these people have sacrificed their time and resources to stand by you at your lowest, the least you can do is provide nourishment and ensure they're comfortable. 

Hiring a catering service provider specializing in funeral events is a great way to cater to your guests' needs while still having time to mourn and socialize. Keys2 Eternity makes it easy to connect with professional and affordable catering services anywhere, anytime. Browse our extensive directory of service providers and conveniently contact a funeral caterer of your choice in your area today.