Kent · England
Funeral and wake catering in Marley, Kent
Something for almost everyone: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Book fish and chips for the wake in Marley.
- Remembrance gatherings
- Celebrations of life
- Village hall wakes
Fresh fish and chips in Marley
Should I sort the food myself?
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.
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.
How our funeral and wake catering works in Marley
Services often run over, so we stay flexible. On the menu are mushy peas, pie and chips and cod and chips, and we’re frequently booked for gatherings at home after a funeral and a tribute meal.
In rural Marley, home or the hall is usual, with the van in the yard or car park. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies when you enquire, and we will be straight with you about what we can do.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
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. A short menu is frequently the best value.
Why book our van in Marley
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- A quote that spells everything out
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
Allergies and dietary needs
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Plan for a few extra people
- Plan seating for older guests
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Tell us about any close family with allergies
We start when you give the word.
Have napkins and bins ready.
Wakes in Marley: venues and practical details
Marley is about 7 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. In and around Marley, the van can serve from a drive, a yard, a car park or a firm field, close to your guests. We take the van to all 922 towns and villages in Kent. Our bookings stretch from Marley to Canterbury (about 17 miles away).
If relatives are coming by rail, Harrietsham station, about 0.6 miles west, is the nearest station. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 3 miles of Marley; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
For wakes in ME17, we just need to know where the van can park and roughly how many guests. Your wake could be at a house on Parks Road, Young Lane and Church Lane or the roads around them, as long as there is somewhere for the van. If your venue is just outside Marley, we also cover Harrietsham (1 mile west), Pollhill (1 mile west), Sandway (1 mile south-east), Platt's Heath (1 mile south) and Chegworth (2 miles west). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (7 miles west), Ashford (11 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (7 miles north), Faversham (10 miles north-east), Minster (13 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
A little further out are Leeds Castle (2.5 miles west) and The Dog Collar Museum (2.4 miles west).
- Schools near Marley include The Lenham School (1.1 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Roebuck Public House (0.5 miles west)
How the day works
We don’t cook ahead. Each portion is battered and fried as it is ordered, which is why it tastes like it does at the seaside. Summer evenings in Marley stay light until about 9:15pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 3:50pm, so plan lighting near the door.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A picture of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Preparing for the day
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
Getting a price
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and serving time. We will send a clear quote that says what’s included.
Related guides
What else we do in Marley
Working with your venue
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’ll work through them with you.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
FAQs for Marley
How far is Marley from London?
About 38 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can the van park in Kiln Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them first, and tell us what they say.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, including Kent. See all areas.
Can our funeral director book for us?
Yes. We can work with whoever is helping you.
Do you take everything away?
We clear the van’s area after service. Let us know about bins for guests.
How do we estimate numbers?
Give us your best estimate, and we will firm it up nearer the day.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
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.
Do you cover Marley?
Yes, we do. We serve events in Marley and across Kent. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
About the food
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish, perfect with gravy.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has loyal fans: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
How we price fish and chips for the wake
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Distance and any road charges
- How many people are eating
- How easy the site is to reach
- The date and time of year
Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- How to get in: gates, lanes and ground
- The address or venue name
- A picture of where the van would go
- The date and time of the event
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many people, plus when you’d like to eat, and we will reply with a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Planning the van’s spot
Plenty of places work for the van, but there are a few things to check:
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- A level hardstanding, drive or firm lawn
- A clear area by the serving hatch
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
From the hatch
- Pie and chips
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- 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