Wake & Memorial Catering
During times of grief and remembrance, catering plays a crucial role in providing comfort and nourishment. Funerals, celebrations of life and wakes require sensitive and thoughtful planning, which includes the appropriate selection of food and drink options. In this blog post, we chat through the different types of catering available for such occasions, as well as offer insights into choices that help create a comforting atmosphere in which to remember your friend or family member.
Types of Catering for Wakes & Memorial Events
Canapés are a wonderful way to begin your celebration of life event. Guests can stand and talk whilst waiters and waitresses pass around bite-sized treats; both savoury and sweet options. Your guests will likely have a drink in hand, so a selection of canapés is a fuss-free way to serve food to family and friends. Substantial canapés can be the main catering option for your wake or memorial event, or they can keep guests sustained before moving onto a buffet or afternoon tea.
Buffet-style and finger food catering offers a flexible and convenient approach for diners. Allowing guests to choose their preferred dishes at a station or table, it means that you can accommodate a variety of dietary requirements without the admin and pre-planning required for a seated dinner. Buffets can include both savoury and sweet options, and it’s nice to include some comforting classics that you know your friends, family and lost loved one enjoyed together.
For more extensive memorial events that continue into the evening, bowl food may be appropriate. For bowl food events, small dishes of different options are circulated around guests to enjoy while standing. Stews, curries and other warming dishes that can be easily enjoyed while mingling make the perfect choice for bowl food menus.
Thoughtful Menu Selection
Traditional and comforting fare is a popular choice for funerals and wakes. Food that evokes nostalgia and familiarity brings solace and warmth to those attending. Our finger food menu includes classics that will no doubt be family favourites that add a personal touch to your event. In times of grief, offering food that is familiar means that guests will not feel overwhelmed by items and dishes they have not tried before. Sausage rolls made with local produce, and fresh and flavourful sandwich selections are on our finger food menu, along with smoked salmon, dill and cream cheese tarts.
It’s important to offer your guests something sweet, too. A tea or coffee and something sweet is just what we all need to keep a brave face during hard times. A selection of sweet treats to suit all tastes works well; some guests will be chocolatey folk, whereas some will no doubt prefer something a little lighter. Our finger food menu includes indulgent triple chocolate brownies as well as a fresh fruit platter brimming with seasonal delights.
Catering for Dietary Requirements
It's essential to consider the dietary needs of all attendees. Providing vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options ensures that everyone feels accommodated and cared for during this sensitive time. Labelling the dishes with clear allergen information can help guests make informed choices. We can assist you with making menu choices that cover all dietary requirements and if required we can craft a bespoke menu to suit all needs.
Wake & Memorial Drinks Service
Funeral events often require a selection of non-alcoholic beverages to cater to all guests’ needs. As standard we’ll provide iced tap water in carafes for your guests to keep hydrated, which can include ribbons of cucumber or sliced citrus fruit to add a splash of colour. Guests will also appreciate a selection of teas, as in times like this it’s important to be able to enjoy your perfect cup of tea, whether that’s builders, earl grey or chamomile to calm. Cafetiere coffee is also included in our package for guests to help themselves throughout. You might also consider a soft mocktail for something a little different, such as an elderflower, mint & cucumber cooler.
In some instances, offering a small selection of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine, may be suitable. We can tailor a dinks package to suit yours, your family and friends’ needs. With a wine menu to suit all tastes and local IPAs and EPAs from Frome Brewery, our memorial catering drinks packages will have something for everyone.
The right catering choices can help create an atmosphere of comfort and support, providing nourishment and solace to those in mourning. By offering a range of menu options and beverages that cater to different dietary needs and cultural preferences, you can ensure that guests feel cared for during these difficult times. We hope that our thoughtful and well-executed catering plan can bring a small measure of comfort and ease to you and your loved ones, and wherever possible we will take the weight from your shoulders.