West Sussex · England
Funeral and wake catering in Balcombe, West Sussex
A menu everybody knows: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Funeral and wake catering in Balcombe.
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Anniversary memorials
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
Planning an event in Balcombe?
Funeral and wake catering in Balcombe, fried fresh
A wake needs warm, simple food. For many families, fish and chips is exactly that. We’re often asked to cater anniversary memorials and family gatherings after a burial or cremation, with gravy, mushy peas and haddock and chips.
For a wake near Balcombe, a farmhouse or village hall frequently works well, with the van in the yard or car park. Your quote spells out what’s included: serving times, the menu and anything else agreed, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- Balcombe (RH17)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Menu
- Cod and haddock, chips, sausages and pies
- Extras
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 24 October 2026
Step by step
The first sign we’ve arrived is normally the smell. After that, it’s a steady flow to the hatch. In autumn and winter, it’s dark early in Balcombe; make sure older guests have a well-lit route to the van.
- First, tell us about your wake.
- We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
- We agree timings, access and the parking spot.
- On the day, we park up and fry fresh for family and friends.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
Ask for a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. A photo of the spot helps too. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Allergies and dietary needs
A little planning helps everyone eat safely. A few tips:
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
- Plan seating for older guests
- Ask a friend to run a tea table
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
A friend or the funeral director can be our contact.
Have napkins and bins ready.
Planners, venues and businesses
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. Ask the council or landowner early.
Places near Balcombe
Other occasions in Balcombe
Space, access and the venue
We will agree the van’s spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Access wide and high enough for the van
- Confirmation that the van can park there
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think before booking.
From the hatch
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
Takeaway run or book a van?
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. A van fries it right there, so it is crisp.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
Who books funeral and wake catering in Balcombe?
Nothing is wasted on an uncertain number of guests.
Here are some of the occasions we serve:
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Memorial gatherings
- Wakes at home
Families holding a service at The Parish Church of St Mary often gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park.
Questions to ask before you book
- Allergen information for each item
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- When payment is due
- Whether VAT is included
Food your guests will love
Sausage and chips
A sausage and chips is the chip-shop classic for younger guests and fish-dodgers.
Curry sauce
The chip shop’s own curry sauce is mild and a little sweet, great with chips and sausages.
A chip van compared with other options
Next to a buffet, fish and chips is hot and simple, and there’s less waste when numbers are uncertain. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu and timing to match. Keeping the menu short is usually the best value.
Why us?
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- A menu almost everyone likes
- We cover Balcombe and the whole of West Sussex
- Works on wet days as well as sunny ones
Take a look at our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
FAQs for Balcombe
We are gathering after a service at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you come?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Food is typically served at the reception venue rather than the church. Send us the address.
Do you come to venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can the wake be at home?
Yes. Send us a photo of the drive or the road outside.
Do you cover Balcombe?
Yes. We take the van across London and the South East, including Balcombe and the rest of West Sussex. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Can someone else arrange it?
Yes, many families prefer that.
Is there a non-fish option?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we’ll be honest about what’s possible.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. Guests will appreciate cover near the hatch.
What’s on the menu?
Proper fish and chips, with sausages and pies for anyone who doesn’t want fish. Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy go on the side.
After a funeral in Balcombe
Balcombe is about 4 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Around Balcombe, we park wherever there’s level, firm ground. We serve 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 15 miles away.
For family travelling by train, Balcombe station is in Balcombe itself. Balcombe is on or near the B2036, handy for relatives driving in. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Balcombe, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
Anywhere in RH17, we can bring the van to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your wake is on London Road, Stockcroft Road and Deanland Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the van to you. Balcombe is on the B2036, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van. Other places close to Balcombe we cover include Balcombe Lane (1 mile north), Brook Street (2 miles south), Staplefield (2 miles south-west), Worth Abbey (3 miles north) and Whitemans Green (3 miles south). Further out, we also take the van to Crawley (5 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Princess Royal Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Cuckfield Museum (3.5 miles south). The countryside around Balcombe includes Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch