Funeral & Wake Catering in Cornwall — Thoughtful Food at a Difficult Time

Funeral & Wake Catering in Cornwall — Thoughtful Food at a Difficult Time

Wake catering is the most quietly important thing we do.

Weddings get the attention. But a wake is an event that a family often has to organise in the middle of grief, within a few days of a death, while managing the admin of a funeral and the emotions of everyone around them. The last thing they need is to be worrying about whether there will be enough sandwiches.

Our job at a wake is to make the food completely invisible as a source of stress, and completely present as a source of comfort.

What food do you serve at a funeral wake?

Most wakes in Cornwall are held in one of three places: at a village hall near the church, at a hotel or pub function room, or at the family home. We cater for all three.

The food format depends on the size of the gathering and the time of day, but a few principles hold across most wakes.

The food should be laid out ready when the first guests arrive. People who have just come from a funeral service are often standing for a difficult reason and do not want to wait. We aim to have everything in place before the family return from the crematorium or church.

The food should be unfussy. This is not the occasion for elaborate canapes or a themed menu. Sandwiches and rolls, quiches, sausage rolls, bowls of salad, warm dishes in season. Food that says someone cared and made an effort, not food that calls attention to itself.

There should be enough. Running out of food at a wake is a particular distress. We plan generously and we bring more than the headcount would suggest, because people eat more than they expect to when they are grieving.

There should be tea. This sounds obvious, but not every caterer thinks through the logistics of providing continuous tea and coffee for a group of people for two or three hours. We do.

What does wake catering include?

Full service wake catering: food, equipment, a member of staff present throughout, clearing up at the end. The family should be able to walk away at the end of the wake and not return to a kitchen full of dirty dishes.

Dropped-off platters: for families who prefer a more informal arrangement, we can deliver platters and equipment that you serve yourselves.

For home wakes, we can advise on quantity and format given the size of your home and the expected number of guests.

How do you handle dietary requirements at a wake?

Wake guests often include older family members, children, and guests with dietary requirements that were not known in advance. We always include gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free options in wake catering without being asked specifically, because at an event where you do not always know who will attend, inclusive food is the right approach.

How do I book wake catering at short notice?

We understand that enquiries for wake catering sometimes come at very short notice. We will always try to accommodate a booking at short notice if it is possible.

Call 01209 206255. If you cannot get through immediately, leave a message and we will call back the same day. Alternatively, email [email protected].

We will keep the conversation brief and practical. You do not need to explain the circumstances at length. Just tell us the date, the location, the approximate number of guests, and what kind of catering you have in mind, and we will take it from there.