Why food matters at a wake
After a funeral, people want to be together, share memories and have something to eat and drink. The food doesn’t need to be elaborate. It needs to be warm, simple and ready when people arrive. Many families find that taking one thing off their list, the catering, makes a real difference.
Where to hold the wake
- At home: personal and relaxed, if there’s room inside and a place for caterers
- A village hall, church hall or club: space for more people, often with a car park
- A pub or venue: they may cater themselves, or allow outside caterers
If you’d like a fish and chip van, you need somewhere level outside for it to park, close to where people will gather. A hall car park or a drive usually works.
How many people to expect
Numbers at funerals are hard to predict. Some families invite everyone at the service to the wake; others keep it to family and close friends. Your funeral director can help you estimate from experience. It’s usually better to cater for a few more than you expect.
Timings on the day
Services often run over, and there may be a committal at a crematorium or burial ground before people travel to the wake. Allow time for that journey. Agree a serving time with your caterer, and give them a contact on the day (a friend or the funeral director, not a close family member) who can tell them if things are running late.
Short notice
Funerals are often arranged within two or three weeks, sometimes less. Contact caterers as soon as you have a date. A caterer should tell you straight away whether they’re available, without pressure.
Why fish and chips?
Fish and chips is familiar and comforting, and almost everyone enjoys it. It can also be a fitting tribute: some families choose it because it was the favourite meal of the person who has died, or because of happy memories of seaside trips. A van serving from the hatch is informal, which suits a wake where people move around and talk.
Letting someone else arrange it
It’s fine to ask your funeral director, a relative or a friend to deal with the caterer. They can pass on the date, place and numbers, and be the contact on the day.
Other things to think about
- Tea and coffee: halls often have urns, or ask a friend to run a tea table
- Somewhere for older guests to sit
- A quiet space away from the crowd
- Photos or a memory book
- Dietary needs of close family, if you know them
Cost
Wake catering doesn’t need to be expensive. A van serving one simple meal often costs less per head than a buffet with lots of dishes, and there’s little waste because food is cooked to order. Ask for a clear quote.
A gentle checklist
- Choose where the wake will be
- Estimate numbers with the funeral director
- Check the venue allows a catering van, and where
- Agree a serving time that allows for travel from the service
- Nominate a contact for the day
- Arrange tea, coffee and seating
If the wake is at home
A wake at home can feel more personal, but space can be tight. Think about where people will stand and sit, where coats will go and who will make tea. If you’d like a fish and chip van, it needs a level, firm spot outside the house, such as a drive, and a clear way in. Let the neighbours know, partly as a courtesy and partly so they don’t park across the drive on the day.
If the wake is at a hall or club
Village halls, church halls and social clubs are often the easiest places for a wake: there’s space, toilets, tables and chairs, and usually a kitchen for tea. Ask the hall whether a catering van can park outside and where. Check the time you have the hall until, so food is served early enough for everyone to eat without rushing.
Thinking about older guests
Wakes often bring together older relatives who may find standing for long difficult. Make sure there are chairs near where food is served, and ask a friend or younger relative to fetch plates for anyone who would rather not queue. A well-lit route from the door to the van matters too, especially on a winter afternoon.
Remembering someone through food
Food can be a gentle way to remember someone. If fish and chips was their Friday night ritual, or the meal from family seaside holidays, people will notice and talk about it. Some families add a small card on the tables explaining why fish and chips was chosen. It often starts conversations and shared memories.
Costs and paying
Some families pay for the wake from the estate; others share the cost. Ask your caterer for a clear quote that you can share with whoever is paying, and check when payment is due. Funeral directors can also advise on how families usually handle this.
Afterwards
Once the day is over, you don’t need to do anything more about the catering. A good caterer will pack up quietly and leave the space tidy. If a relative or friend dealt with the booking, they can settle any balance, so you don’t have to.
If you need help deciding
If you’re unsure what kind of food to have, ask the family what the person who has died would have liked. A favourite meal, a favourite pub or a place they loved can guide the choice. Your funeral director has helped many families and can share what has worked for others.
Quick answers
Can you cater a wake at short notice?
Ask as soon as you have the date; we’ll tell you straight away.
Can the funeral director book for us?
Yes. Many families prefer that.
What if the service runs late?
Agree a flexible serving time and a contact for the day.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.