West Sussex · England
Funeral and wake catering in East Dean, West Sussex
Funeral and wake catering in East Dean: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Celebrations of life
- Remembrance gatherings
Funeral and wake catering in East Dean
How our funeral and wake catering works in East Dean
A wake needs warm, simple food. For many families, fish and chips is exactly that. We serve cod and chips, pie and chips and gravy, and we’re frequently booked for memorial events and anniversaries and a favourite meal in someone’s memory.
Near East Dean, wakes are often at home or in the hall. Tell us about lanes and the ground. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your wake, so the batter is still crisp when it is handed over.
- Location
- East Dean (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- On the menu
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- Extras
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same numbers can cost different amounts, because of:
- How long we serve
- Cod, haddock or both
- Whether a minimum applies
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
Most vans have a minimum charge, since getting the van there costs the same however many eat. Ask us what applies to your wake.
What we need to know
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Where you’d like the van to go
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
- Expected numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the parking spot, access, numbers and serving time. Photos of the spot and the way in help. To send your details, use our quote form.
Planning the van’s spot
Before the day, we will agree where the van parks. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A clear area by the serving hatch
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- A level, firm spot the van can drive onto
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before you book.
What we serve
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
How the day works
Here’s how the day usually runs: the van arrives and we set up, the fryers heat up, and food goes out hot when you are ready to eat. In summer, a wake in East Dean has light until about 9:20pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 4:00pm.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
How to prepare
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
Getting a price
Thinking about fish and chips for the wake for your wake in East Dean? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a clear price. To get in touch, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Planning for dietary needs
Tell us about dietary needs and allergies early, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer. To make it work smoothly:
- Allow a little extra
- Tell us about any close family with allergies
- Keep the serving time flexible
- Let someone else talk to us on the day
We park quietly.
Have napkins and bins ready.
Takeaway run or book a van?
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van solves that by cooking on site.
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
Your questions about fish and chips for the wake in East Dean
Do you come out to small places like East Dean?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you come to venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you cater for allergies?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Battered fish contains fish and, in standard batter, gluten. Tell us about allergies in advance.
Can a friend deal with you?
Yes, that’s common.
Where can the van park?
A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, with room for a queue at the hatch. Mention any narrow gates or soft ground.
Can the wake be at home?
Frequently, yes. Tell us about parking at the house.
What happens if it rains?
We cook inside the van, so rain doesn’t stop us. It is worth planning some cover for the queue.
How long are you on site?
That depends on your numbers and timings. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
More for events in East Dean
The menu, dish by dish
Cod and chips
Cod is the classic: mild, white and flaky, and it’s what most people in the south ask for. It’s battered and fried to order.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans, and they’re on the menu.
Arranging a wake in East Dean
East Dean is about 6 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. People in East Dean book us for all sorts of reasons, but it always starts the same way: somewhere to park, a time to serve and fresh frying. East Dean is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. We serve events right across the region, from East Dean to Guildford (24 miles away).
East Dean is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
Here we cover the PO18 postcode area, and we can serve your wake anywhere in it. That could mean a wake at a home on Main Road, Chapel Row and Charlton Road or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. Close by, we cover wakes in Charlton (1 mile west), Singleton (2 miles west), West Dean (3 miles west), Heyshott (3 miles north) and Cocking (3 miles north-west). We also serve nearby towns such as Worthing (15 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (8 miles south), Chichester (6 miles south-west), Selsey (13 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles south-east) and Emsworth (10 miles south-west).
A little further out are Weald and Downland Gridshell (1.8 miles west) and Chichester Centre (5 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Graffham Common and Levin Down.
- Local pubs include The Star And Garter Public House (within half a mile south)
Perfect for your wake in East Dean
It works for everyone.
Here are some of the occasions we serve:
- Anniversary memorials
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Wakes at venues
For a service at a church like The Parish Church of All Saints, choosing a wake venue nearby helps older guests.
What your quote should include
- How allergens are handled
- Any minimum charge
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
Working with your venue
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
Many venues set rules for catering vans: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will confirm what we can provide.
- 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