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A funeral is a chance to come together with friends and family after a loss. Though you’re likely to experience sorrow, surrounding yourself with loved ones can be a tremendous support. Funerals are an opportunity to gather and say goodbyes formally, while luncheons offer a space for even more healing.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Choose What to Serve at a Funeral Luncheon
- Funeral Luncheon Menu Ideas
- Funeral Luncheon Decoration Ideas
- Come Together for a Funeral Luncheon
A repast after a funeral is an integral part of the grieving process in many cultures and religions.
With so many funeral reception ideas to choose from, many opt for a luncheon to comfort the bereaved when they need it the most.
If you’re hosting or attending a funeral luncheon, this guide explores several menu ideas and unique ways to decorate in honor of the bereaved family and deceased.
How to Choose What to Serve at a Funeral Luncheon
What you serve at a funeral luncheon can be a highly personal choice. That said, there are factors to consider like your guest list, budget, culture, and the wishes of the deceased.
It’s important to recognize that there is no right or wrong choice for your funeral luncheon. Consider these questions to guide your decision-making:
- Location: Where will the funeral luncheon take place? If it’s an outdoor gathering, you’ll want picnic-friendly foods that aren’t too messy. On the other hand, a typical reception hall leaves more flexibility for cleanup.
- Guest list: A larger guest list demands different food requirements. You might choose casseroles, buffet-style meals, or another choice that easily feeds a crowd.
- Cooking responsibility: Who will cook the meal? Are you choosing a caterer, a local restaurant, a family friend, or someone else? Make sure to keep dietary restrictions in mind.
- Budget: Of course, it’s important to stay on budget. A larger, more complex banquet will be pricier than a smaller, intimate meal.
- Culture: Many choose to honor their culture, religion, or region at a funeral luncheon. This is also a great time to incorporate the favorite foods of your lost loved one.
Food should bring people together. We recommend dishes that will comfort the family as well as simplify the planning process.
Funeral Luncheon Menu Ideas
There are so many different luncheon menu ideas to choose from, but having some inspiration helps! You can adjust these suggestions for any budget, guest list, or dietary needs.
If you're invited to bring a dish to a potluck funeral luncheon, make sure to ask the host about a theme or any dietary restrictions. And follow these basic funeral etiquette guidelines.
1. Picnic
If the weather permits, plan a picnic. You can hold this casual meal at a church, park, or backyard. Stick to simple, quick foods that guests can easily eat outdoors:
- Burgers
- Hotdogs
- Potato salad
- Chips
- Mac and cheese
- Fruit and veggie tray
- Iced tea and lemonade
2. Potluck
Another simple choice is to host a potluck, especially if you’re trying to save time and money. (Just be sure to write a thank-you note for funeral food.)
Ask each guest to bring their favorite dish, ensuring everyone has something they want to eat. If you’re worried about having enough food to go around, here are some more suggestions:
- Salad
- Pasta dish
- Chicken dish
- Casserole
- Dessert
- Tea and coffee
- Napkins, plates, and cutlery
Tip: Ask guests to bring their meals in disposable trays. This reduces cleanup and ensures you don’t have to spend time tracking down who each casserole dish belongs to.
3. Brunch
Hosting a brunch is a unique, modern take on the classic funeral luncheon. It’s also perfect for an early funeral service. Some brunch menu ideas include:
- Eggs
- Omelets
- Fruit salad
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Bagels
- Pastries
- Tea, coffee, and juice
4. Comfort foods
We could all use comfort food on hard days, especially after losing someone special. These inexpensive ideas provide extra TLC when it’s needed most and they’re easy to whip up last minute:
- Rolls
- Mac and cheese
- Casserole
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Cookies
5. Salad and sandwiches
For an informal funeral luncheon, don’t feel pressured to choose expensive, complicated dishes. In fact, you don’t have to cook anything at all. Finger foods are perfect for quick and easy grazing, and they won’t add much to your funeral budget. Pick up these simple foods:
- Veggie tray
- Salad
- Cold sandwiches
- Pasta salad
- Cookies
6. Italian feast
When it comes to a low-cost cuisine that feeds many, you can’t overlook Italian food. Ideal for family-style serving, these meals are an impressive option for any funeral luncheon:
- Pasta
- Meatballs
- Pizza
- Lasagna
- Pastries
7. Casseroles
In many places, it’s common to bring casseroles to the bereaved family — but you can also take them directly to the funeral reception instead. Crowd-pleasing casseroles include:
- Funeral potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Meatball casserole
- Breakfast casserole
- Texas sheet cake
8. Classic family meal
Finally, serve up a classic family meal for a hearty dose of homemade goodness. Though better suited for smaller groups, it’s easy to customize this menu to fit larger crowds:
- Salad
- Pasta salad
- Green beans
- Mashed potatoes
- Chicken or turkey
- Gravy
- Cookies, brownies, or cake
Funeral Luncheon Decoration Ideas
While planning your luncheon menu, you can’t forget decorations. Though you can go as simple as you’d like, we think this is a lovely opportunity to add something special to your post-funeral meal.
1. Family photos
The easiest way to decorate is to use family photos, especially if you have albums showing the deceased throughout their life. Place a collage, a large printout, or a special photo at each table.
2. Flowers
Another simple idea is to use flowers from the funeral at the reception. Flowers are a gorgeous symbol of life, and they add much-needed warmth to any space. You can get separate flowers just for the repast, or you can repurpose funeral flowers to cut costs.
3. Quote board
To add something inspiring in honor of the deceased, make your own quote board. You can write these meaningful messages by hand, print them out, or include them in a collage.
4. Favorite colors
When choosing the color scheme, opt for colors befitting your loved one. Whether you honor their favorite sports team or fashion statement, this carries a lot of significance.
5. Flags
Flags are another powerful symbol to consider for the reception space. Flags can honor the departed’s home country, organization, sports team, school, or military service.
6. Candles
Candles are used in many cultures to honor the dead. You can easily light candles throughout the event space, but if you’re worried about a fire hazard, use electric candles.
7. Memorial table
Lastly, we recommend creating a memorial table to showcase a lifetime of photos, letters, and mementos. Family heirlooms are another great reminder that their legacy lives on.
Come Together for a Funeral Luncheon
After the death of a loved one, it’s important to spend time with those you love and trust. This doesn’t have to end at the funeral or memorial service.
An informal funeral luncheon or reception is the perfect way to grow even closer. From sharing a delicious meal to honoring favorite memories, these small moments matter.
