West Sussex · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Copthorne events
Funeral and wake catering in Copthorne: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Gatherings at home after a funeral
- Gatherings after the committal
- A tribute meal
Fresh fish and chips in Copthorne
About our funeral and wake catering in Copthorne
Funerals are often arranged at short notice, so contact us as soon as you can. Whether it is scattering of ashes gatherings and gatherings at home after a funeral, we’ll put together a menu of haddock and chips, sausage and chips and mushy peas.
In Copthorne, the hall or the family home is a natural choice. Tell us about parking for the van. You’ll know what’s included before booking: serving times, the menu and anything else agreed.
- Where
- Copthorne (RH10, RH6)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- On the menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 24 October 2026
Common questions in Copthorne
Can you serve after a service at St John's Church?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby where the van can park. Food is usually served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you’ll gather.
How far is Copthorne from London?
About 25 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Is there a non-fish option?
We serve sausages and pies as well as fish. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we’ll be honest about what’s possible.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Let us know what the ground is like, and send a picture if you can.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Copthorne.
Can a friend deal with you?
Yes, that is common.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Tell us about coeliac guests when you enquire, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible.
Can you cater a wake at short notice?
Wakes are often arranged quickly, so ask and we will reply quickly.
Wakes in Copthorne: venues and practical details
Copthorne is about 3 miles north-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We park up at homes, halls, workplaces and venues in Copthorne and the surrounding area. We take the van to 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We serve events right across the region, from Copthorne to Brighton (about 21 miles away).
For family travelling by train, Gatwick Airport station, about 2 miles north-west, is the nearest station. Families holding a service at St John's Church often gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park. Copthorne is within about 8 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH10 and RH6, so your wake can be anywhere in it. Local streets include Church Road, Brookside and Bridgelands; a wake on any of them works well with a drive or nearby car park. Copthorne sits on or near the A264, so getting the van to your wake is simple. Nearby, we also serve wakes in Shipley Bridge (1 mile north-west), Forge Wood (1 mile west), Tinsley Green (1 mile west), Burstow (1 mile north) and Keeper's Corner (1 mile north-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Crawley (3 miles south-west), Horsham (10 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (10 miles south), Burgess Hill (12 miles south), East Grinstead (5 miles east) and Broadfield (4 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Effingham Park Motor Museum (1.6 miles east) and County Mall (3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Hedgecourt Lake.
- Local schools include Hazelwick School (1.9 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Cherry Tree pub (0.8 miles north-east)
Where the van can park in Copthorne
Plenty of places work for the van, but a few things matter:
- A spot near your guests
- Permission from the venue or landowner for the van
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
Why choose funeral and wake catering in Copthorne?
It takes one job off a very long list.
Almost any gathering works with a fish and chip van. People in Copthorne book the van for occasions like:
- Wakes at venues
- Anniversary memorials
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
- A tribute meal
With the A264 nearby, it is easy for family travelling by car to reach Copthorne.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
For planners, venues and organisers
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll confirm what we can provide.
For larger numbers, tell us how long you have for food, so we can plan service to match. Staggering groups helps a lot.
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning helps everyone eat safely. Here are a few tips:
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Let someone else talk to us on the day
- Allow a little extra
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
Allow time for travel from the service, crematorium or burial ground.
Have napkins and bins ready.
A fish and chip van or other catering?
Some venues offer wake menus. A van works where they don’t, or at home. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: service time, menu, travel, any minimum and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why book with us
- Classic food your guests already know
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- No surprises in your quote
The menu, dish by dish
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips covers anyone who doesn’t want fish, and it’s a favourite with children.
Gravy
Chips and gravy is a favourite in the north and the Midlands, and it’s lovely with a pie.
The process
On the day, we position the van, set up the hatch and get the fryers up to temperature. Once we are hot, we cook to order, timed around your wake. In winter, it’s dark in Copthorne by about 3:55pm, so for an afternoon wake, light near the van and the door helps. Summer wakes have daylight well into the evening.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we are done.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
- Confirm the van is allowed on site
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
Ask for a quote
Each quote is put together for your wake. Start with your date, and we’ll check availability straight away.
Related guides
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. Ask us for a quote and compare.
You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. Long waits and a drive home mean food arrives lukewarm and soggy. A van fries it right there, so it’s crisp.
Nearby places to Copthorne
Also in Copthorne
- 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