Catering a wake: What to expect and what it costs
Arranging food for a funeral or wake can feel like one more decision at a time when there is already too much to manage. The details may need to come together within a few days, and many families are unsure how much food to order, what the catering should include or what a realistic budget looks like.
Short notice is normal. A wake may be arranged three to five days after a death, depending on the funeral service and crematorium booking. You do not need to have every detail decided before speaking to a caterer.
This guide explains what to expect from funeral catering, how much food is usually needed and which costs are worth allowing for.
Funeral catering across Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
Many families search for funeral catering or wake catering near me when arrangements are made. The most useful first step is to share four details:
The date and approximate time of the wake.
The venue or likely location.
The number of guests expected.
Whether you want a simple spread, afternoon tea or something more substantial.
Jeeves Catering provides funeral and wake catering across Stamford, Peterborough, Oakham, Rutland, Bourne, Grantham, Market Deeping, Oundle, Spalding, Huntingdon, Yaxley, Whittlesey, March and Corby, as well as the surrounding villages of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.
We cover roughly a 40 mile radius from our Stamford and Peterborough base, across Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
Short notice is not unusual, and we’ll work with the information available. Final numbers can often be confirmed later. The important thing is to establish whether the date, delivery and setup time can be covered, then shape the menu around your needs.
How much food do you need for a wake?
This is often the question families worry about most. Running short feels particularly difficult on a day when people are already under pressure. Funeral catering is traditionally generous, and guests may eat more than expected, especially if they have travelled or have not eaten since early in the day.
The right quantity depends on the time of the wake and the style of food.
Afternoon tea and funeral teas
An afternoon tea-style spread usually includes:
Sandwiches
Savoury pastries or quiches
Sausage rolls or other savoury items
Scones
Tray bakes or small cakes
Tea, coffee and soft drinks
For a light afternoon gathering, allow around four to six savoury items per person, with something sweet alongside. If the wake falls over lunchtime or early evening, a more generous quantity is sensible.
A five-item menu with tea and coffee is a useful starting point for many funeral teas. The items may include sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, quiches, pork pies or vegetarian alternatives. Sweet items such as scones and tray bakes can be added separately.
You do not need to work out every sandwich and pastry yourself. Tell the caterer the number of guests, the time of day and whether you would rather have some food left over than risk running short. They can recommend a balanced quantity.
A hot or cold funeral buffet
A cold funeral buffet is often the simplest and most economical option. It can include sandwiches, savouries, salads, pork pies, quiches, bread and cakes.
A hot buffet usually feels more like a complete meal. It may include one or two hot dishes, vegetables, potatoes, rice or bread, followed by a dessert. It needs more planning because the venue must have suitable kitchen facilities, power and enough space to keep food at the right temperature.
If you are unsure whether a funeral buffet or an afternoon tea would be more suitable, consider the timing. A mid-afternoon wake may suit sandwiches, savouries and cakes. A wake held around lunchtime may need more substantial food.
What funeral catering costs
Jeeves Catering’s suggested funeral menu starts from £9.50 per person. This provides a clear starting point, rather than a fixed price for every wake.
For example, 50 guests at £9.50 per person would give a food cost of £475 before any applicable extras. The final quotation may change depending on the menu and service required.
The main cost factors are:
Type of food: a simple cold buffet is usually the most economical option. Hot food, a wider selection or more substantial portions will increase the cost.
Afternoon tea: sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes can be priced according to the selection chosen.
Canapés or additional items: these add variety, but may not be needed for a straightforward wake.
Tea and coffee: unlimited hot drinks can be included as part of some menus or added separately.
Staff: serving staff can set up the food, serve drinks, refresh the buffet and clear away discreetly.
Delivery: the distance from the catering kitchen to Stamford, Peterborough, Oakham or elsewhere may affect the quotation.
Equipment hire: glassware, crockery, cutlery, table linen and serving equipment may be arranged if required.
Disposable items: plates, napkins and cutlery can be supplied where washing-up facilities are limited.
Venue requirements: some venues charge room hire or have their own catering arrangements.
The suggested funeral menu has a minimum guest number, and menu prices may exclude VAT, staff charges and table linen. These details should be confirmed before booking so that you have a clear figure from the beginning.
Timings for a wake across Rutland and the surrounding counties
Most wakes last around two to three hours. Guests usually arrive directly from the funeral service, so the food should be ready when they enter the venue.
The timing depends on the funeral or crematorium slot, travel distance and whether there is a burial or committal service first. It is helpful to allow for delays. Guests may take longer to leave the service, and some may need time to travel or park.
Your caterer should agree:
When access to the venue is available.
When the food will be delivered.
How long setup will take.
When guests are expected to arrive.
Whether staff will remain to serve and clear.
When equipment or leftover items will be collected.
Hot food needs particular care. The venue should have suitable kitchen space, power and equipment for safe preparation or holding. Cold food also needs to be kept appropriately chilled until it is laid out.
A professional caterer will plan the setup around the service rather than treating delivery as a simple drop-off. The aim is for the family to arrive and find everything ready.
Choosing a venue for a wake
Wakes can be held in many different places. The best choice is usually the one that feels practical and comfortable for the family.
At home
Many families hold a wake at home. This can feel private and familiar, and it is entirely workable with the right setup.
Before arranging catering, consider:
Where guests will sit or stand.
Whether there is space for a buffet table.
Parking and access for the catering team.
Fridge space and power supply.
Where used plates and glasses will go.
Whether there is a suitable sink or kitchen area.
For a home wake, a delivered and neatly arranged buffet may be enough. Staff can also be provided if you would prefer not to manage drinks, clearing or replenishing food.
Village halls and community rooms
Village halls often provide more space and tables, but their kitchen facilities vary. Check whether the kitchen includes an oven, fridge, hot water, serving equipment and enough power for the catering setup.
Some halls require the room to be left clean. If so, include clearing and washing-up in the catering discussion rather than leaving the family to organise it afterwards.
Pubs, hotels and dedicated venues
Pubs and hotels may have their own food service or may allow an outside caterer. Ask about this before confirming the room. Some venues include tea and coffee, while others charge separately for drinks, staff or room hire.
You can also review the venues we cater at to see the different types of settings we work in. A wake does not need a formal event venue. It simply needs to be accessible, suitable for the number of guests and able to support the food service.
Dietary requirements without added pressure
Dietary requirements should be handled as part of the normal planning process. You do not need to question every guest individually at the wake.
If you know about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, religious or allergy requirements, share those details with the caterer in advance. Dishes can be prepared separately and clearly labelled.
At a wake, it is helpful to have suitable options available without making guests ask publicly. Clear labels allow people to choose for themselves. If someone has a severe allergy, they should speak directly with the catering team so that the relevant ingredients and preparation arrangements can be explained properly.
Menus can be adapted without making the food feel separate or limited. The aim is to provide a considered selection for everyone.
Afternoon tea catering for a later Celebration of Life
A funeral and a Celebration of Life may take place at different times. Some families hold a small gathering immediately after the funeral, then arrange a larger memorial gathering weeks or months later.
This changes the catering requirements. A later event may have more time for planning and may involve a sit-down meal, a more detailed afternoon tea or a wider selection of drinks and canapés.
For ideas, you can explore afternoon tea catering, which can be adapted for a memorial gathering or informal reception.
The same practical questions still matter: guest numbers, venue access, kitchen facilities, timings and who will manage the food on the day.
One point of contact for the family
The practical benefit of using one caterer is that you do not have to coordinate several separate suppliers while grieving.
Jeeves can discuss the menu, delivery, staff, drinks, glass hire, disposable plates and cutlery as part of the same conversation. We can also work with the venue to agree access and setup.
If the wake is in Stamford, our catering in Stamford page explains more about the area and the types of settings we work in. Our catering in Peterborough page is another example, and we also cover Oakham, Rutland, Bourne, Grantham, Market Deeping, Oundle, Spalding, Huntingdon, Yaxley, Whittlesey, March, Corby and the surrounding villages across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.
What happens next?
You do not need a finished plan before getting in touch. Tell us the date, venue if known, approximate guest numbers and the type of food you have in mind.
We’ll talk through the practical options, explain what is included and identify anything that may need to be arranged separately. If details change, we’ll adjust the plan where possible.
The aim is straightforward: food ready when guests arrive, clear arrangements for the venue and one less thing for your family to carry on the day.