Wake arrangements often need to come together quickly, and the costs aren’t always clear at first. If you’re asking how much a wake costs in the UK, it helps to separate the catering from venue hire and other funeral expenses.
For Jeeves Catering’s suggested funeral menu, food starts at £10 per person with tea and coffee included. For 40 guests, that’s £400, before VAT and any additional charges. If you’d rather provide your own refreshments, the same menu is £8 per person without tea and coffee. Here’s how the menu options add up, and what to check before agreeing a quote.
What does wake catering cost?
There isn’t one fixed UK price for wake catering. The total depends on guest numbers, how many food items you choose, whether you include tea and coffee, and whether you need staff or equipment.
Our suggested funeral menu gives you a clear starting point:
The suggested menu has a minimum of 30 people. Bamboo plates and three-ply napkins are included.
A worked example for 40 guests
Tray bakes can be added at £3 per portion. If you allow one portion per guest, 40 portions would add £120.
These examples are for food only. Prices exclude VAT, staff charges and equipment. They don’t include any separately arranged drinks or venue costs. Confirm the full total in your quote so you know what will be payable.
What’s included, and what might cost extra?
The menu price covers the chosen food items. Tea and coffee are included in the menu tiers that specify them, and bamboo plates and three-ply napkins are included.
Other arrangements can be discussed, depending on the venue and the kind of support you’d like:
Serving staff can help serve drinks, refresh the buffet and clear away.
Table linen, glassware, crockery and cutlery can be arranged if needed.
Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are priced on request.
Delivery or collection can be arranged.
Tray bakes are an additional £3 per portion.
A delivered buffet may suit you if there’s someone available to manage the food and drinks. If you’d rather not have a family member take that on, ask about staff and clearing when you request a quote.
Is the wake included in funeral costs?
Not necessarily. Funeral costs and wake costs may be quoted separately. A funeral director’s estimate may include their own services and third-party expenses, but that doesn’t automatically mean it includes a venue, food or drinks for a gathering afterwards.
Check the itemised estimate with your funeral director. Ask which costs are included, which are optional and whether any venue or catering arrangements have already been made. If you’re arranging catering separately, request a written quote that shows the food, VAT and any additional services clearly.
How many people should you cater for?
If you have a confirmed guest list, use that as your starting point and allow for any late changes. If you don’t know how many people will come to the wake, one general planning guide is to estimate 60–70% of the number expected at the funeral service. Treat this as a rough starting point, not a guaranteed attendance rate. Travel distances, the time of day and whether the gathering is open to a wider circle can all affect numbers.
It’s worth telling your caterer how you arrived at your estimate and when you’ll be able to confirm it. They can talk through what’s practical, including the menu quantity and the latest point at which numbers can be adjusted.
Which menu size is right for your wake?
A smaller selection may be enough for a short gathering between meals. If the wake falls around lunchtime, lasts longer or guests have travelled a distance, a more substantial selection may feel more appropriate.
You can choose between four, five or six menu items, with tea and coffee included or left out according to your preference. The full funeral menu shows the available choices, including sandwiches and savouries. Tray bakes are available separately.
If you’re not sure which option fits your plans, you don’t need to settle it before speaking to us. The number of guests, timing and venue are usually enough to start a useful conversation.
What should you check before agreeing a quote?
A clear catering quote should tell you what’s included and what you’ll need to arrange separately. It’s also worth checking the practical details, especially if the venue has limited facilities.
Ask about:
The final price: Does it include VAT, staff, linen, delivery and any equipment hire?
The guest numbers: When do you need to confirm the final count?
The venue setup: What access time is available, and where can the buffet be arranged?
Food and drinks: Is tea and coffee included? Who will serve and replenish it?
Kitchen and power: Are there facilities for hot water, refrigeration or food that needs to be kept warm?
Timing and clearing: When will the food be ready, and who will clear away afterwards?
These details help avoid last-minute uncertainty. For more on the wider arrangements, read our guide to catering a wake: what to expect and what it costs.
Wake catering in Stamford, Peterborough, Oakham and Corby
We provide funeral and wake catering in Stamford, Peterborough, Oakham and Corby, as well as Bourne, Grantham, Market Deeping, Oundle, Spalding, Huntingdon, Yaxley, Whittlesey and March. We also cover Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, including surrounding villages.
If the wake is in the area, our Stamford catering page explains more about the places and events we cater for.
Jeeves Catering is family-run and has been trading since 1995. We understand that families may be arranging a wake during a difficult few days, so we’ll keep the conversation practical and considerate. You can also read more about our funeral and wake catering.
Talk through the costs
To ask about availability or request options, share the date, venue if known and your best estimate of guest numbers. We’ll talk you through the menu, explain what’s included and identify any extras that may apply.
You can contact us about wake catering or call 01778 349512. We’ll help you work out a straightforward plan, without needing every detail in place first.