West Sussex · England
Funeral and wake catering in East Lavant, West Sussex
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, fish and chips for the wake makes the food a highlight of your wake in East Lavant.
- Wakes at venues
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
- Celebrations of life
Funeral and wake catering for East Lavant events
East Lavant questions
How far is East Lavant from London?
Roughly 53 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
We are gathering after a service at Church of St Mary: can you come?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Food is generally served at the reception venue rather than the church. Send us the address.
What if the service runs late?
We plan for delays. We’ll agree a serving time and stay flexible.
Can you cook in the rain?
We carry on in the rain, because the fryers are inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
Can you park on the road outside?
Only in a legal space, or with the council’s permission. Ask your council early.
Can the van come to East Lavant?
We do. East Lavant is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
How quickly can you come?
Get in touch as soon as you can. We’ll tell you straight away whether we’re available.
About our funeral and wake catering in East Lavant
We work quietly and simply. We park discreetly and serve when people are ready. We are often asked to cater a tribute meal and wakes at a pub or venue with outside space, serving haddock and chips, sausage and chips and cod and chips.
In rural East Lavant, home or the hall is usual, with the van in the yard or car park. We keep the menu short: a few classics done properly keeps the food fresh and the queue moving.
- Location
- East Lavant (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Sides
- Curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
After a funeral in East Lavant
East Lavant is about 2 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Anywhere in PO18, we’ll come to your venue, home or workplace. East Lavant is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we bring the van. We serve events right across the region, from East Lavant to Southampton (27 miles away).
Families holding a service at Church of St Mary frequently gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park.
We take the van to wakes all over PO18. That could mean a wake at a home on Pook Lane, Fordwater Road and Shop Lane or the roads around them, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Other places close to East Lavant we cover include Mid Lavant (1 mile north-west), Westerton (2 miles south-east), Westhampnett (2 miles south-east), Waterbeach (2 miles east) and Maudlin (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also take the van to Bognor Regis (7 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (7 miles west), Rustington (12 miles east) and Storrington (15 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Chichester Castle (2 miles south) and The Chichester City Museum (2.1 miles south). The countryside around East Lavant includes Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Bishop Luffa School (2.2 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Royal Oak Public House (within half a mile north-east)
Also near East Lavant
Other occasions in East Lavant
Planning for dietary needs
Tell us about dietary needs and allergies early, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible. To make it work smoothly:
- Mention allergies you know about
- Let someone else talk to us on the day
- Ask a friend to run a tea table
- Allow for the service running over
Give us a contact for the day who is not a close family member.
Photos or a memory book give people something to share.
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
Making food yourself for a wake is a lot to take on. We do the cooking. Most vans have a minimum charge, since getting the van there costs the same however many eat. We’ll tell you up front.
Why us?
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- A menu almost everyone likes
- Events in East Lavant and across West Sussex
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
Read our pricing and what a fish and chip van costs.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps everyone safe and the service smooth. We look for:
- Access wide and high enough for the van
- Lighting nearby for evening events
- Space for people to queue at the hatch
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Gravy
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
What happens on the day
Rain does not stop the fryers, because the cooking happens inside the van. It’s worth thinking about cover for the queue, though. Late-December sunset in East Lavant is about 4:00pm, so for an afternoon wake, light near the van and the door helps. Summer wakes have daylight well into the evening.
- It starts with the date, where the wake is and roughly how many.
- You get an access check and a quote, without fuss.
- Timings allow for the service and travel from it.
- On the day we set up quietly and serve when guests are ready.
- Afterwards we pack up quietly and leave the spot tidy.
How to prepare
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Get permission for the van from the venue
Get a quote
Planning fish and chips for the wake in East Lavant? Send us the details and we’ll come back with a quote. To contact us, use our quote form.
Related guides
Why choose funeral and wake catering in East Lavant?
There is little waste, because food is cooked to order.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. People in East Lavant book the van for occasions like:
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Remembrance gatherings
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
For family travelling by train, the nearest station is Chichester station, about 2.5 miles south.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- What the price includes, item by item
- Payment terms and deposit
The menu, dish by dish
Mushy peas
No fish and chips is complete without mushy peas for many people.
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Fried to order in the van, it’s hot, crisp and generous.
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
For a small group, making your own food can work. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
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 is crisp.
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.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll 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