Surrey · England
Funeral and Wake Catering in The Sands
From the first sizzle in the fryer to the last chip, fish and chips for the wake makes the food a highlight of your wake in The Sands.
- Memorial gatherings
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
Fresh fish and chips in The Sands
What happens on the day
Because we cook inside the van, rain doesn’t stop us. Guests will still appreciate a bit of cover near the hatch. In winter, it’s dark in The Sands 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.
- The family or funeral director sends us the date, place and numbers.
- We check where the van can park and send a clear price.
- Timings allow for the service and travel from it.
- On the day we set up quietly and serve when guests are ready.
- We pack up when everyone has eaten and leave quietly.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
Getting a price
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Funeral and wake catering in The Sands, fried fresh
Services often run over, so we stay flexible. We’re frequently asked to cater remembering a loved one’s favourite food and a wake at the family home, with haddock and chips, sausage and chips and gravy.
Near The Sands, wakes are frequently at home or in the hall. Let us know about access. We cook inside the van, right where your guests are, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger numbers, tell us how long you have for food, so we can plan service to match. Staggering groups helps a lot.
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.
What comes out of the fryer
Pie and chips
A pie and chips is proper comfort food, and it’s especially welcome on a cold day.
Gravy
In the north and the Midlands, gravy is the side of choice, and it is lovely with a pie.
After a funeral in The Sands
The Sands is about 2 miles east of Farnham, in Surrey. We cover The Sands as standard, so all we need is your date, a parking spot and a time to serve. We take the van to 395 places across Surrey. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 8 miles away.
After a service at The Church of the Good Shepherd, a wake at a hall or home close by means less travelling for everyone. If relatives are coming by rail, Farnham station, about 2.3 miles west, is the nearest station. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 7 miles of The Sands; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
This part of Surrey takes in GU10, and we can serve your wake anywhere in it. Whether your wake is on The Green, Binton Lane and Botany Hill or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the van to you. For wakes just outside The Sands, we cover Runfold (1 mile west), Sandy Cross (1 mile north), Compton (1 mile west), Seale (1 mile north-east) and Tongham (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (8 miles east), Woking (10 miles north-east), Camberley (9 miles north), Frimley (7 miles north), Haslemere (9 miles south) and Cranleigh (12 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Seale and Tongham (0.9 miles north-east) and Ash Museum (2.8 miles north). The countryside around The Sands includes Culverswell Hill and Runfold Wood.
Places near The Sands
Other occasions in The Sands
How we price fish and chips for the wake
The same numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Numbers
- Parking and the way in
- Any minimum charge
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: hours, menu, travel, minimum charge and VAT. We set ours out clearly.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Anything awkward about the way in
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- A picture of where the van would go
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. Photos of the spot and the way in help. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We’re happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Who books funeral and wake catering in The Sands?
It suits all ages, from children to older relatives.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Celebrations of life
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Wakes at venues
Local halls and clubs near The Sands can host a wake if home is too small, with the van in the car park.
Before you book anyone
- A clear list of what’s included
- Whether travel is included
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- When payment is due
FAQs for The Sands
We are gathering after a service at The Church of the Good Shepherd: can you come?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby where the van can park. Food is generally served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you’ll gather.
Do you come to venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What food do you serve?
The classics: cod or haddock and chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. See the menu.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
No, not as standard: the batter contains wheat. Let us know and we’ll tell you what we can do before booking.
Do you bring everything you need?
Everything is cooked in the van. Let us know what’s available at the site and we will confirm what we need.
Can you park on the road outside?
That depends on local parking rules. A drive, car park or yard is typically easier; if it has to be the street, check with the council.
How long does set-up take?
That depends on your numbers and timings. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Can you cater for allergies?
Yes, we can tell you which allergens are in each item. Fish and gluten are the main ones in battered fish. Send us any allergies in writing.
Why choose a fish and chip van in The Sands?
A pub or venue may cater a wake themselves. A van works at home or at a hall. Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What you get with us
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
- Events in The Sands and across Surrey
Read how we price and the cost guide.
Planning the van’s spot
Most drives, car parks, yards and firm lawns can take the van, but there are a few things to check:
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- Room in front of the hatch for a queue
- A level hardstanding, drive or firm lawn
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we serve
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- 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