Catering A Funeral

While much of funeral planning is taken up by thoughts of the ceremony itself, what comes next is every bit as important. Planning the “after party” can feel unimportant when you’re deep in grief, but it can be an incredibly healing and connecting part of an otherwise difficult day.  

We encourage our clients to spend time thinking about how they can incorporate a wake or “funeral reception” in a way that is true to their loved one, and one of the best ways to do this is through funeral catering. 

The Importance of Food At A Funeral

The “funeral repast” or meal after a funeral has a deep importance that spans cultures and religions. All over the world, groups have traditions that place importance on the bereaved being nourished by food and coming together to share memories. 

Tangata whenua do this with the hākari, a feast which is part of any tangi and grounds the grieving family back into the world of the living. For European New Zealanders, it may simply be shared finger food after a ceremony. 

Whether you decide to have a full meal or a few canapes, funeral food is an element of planning that is well worth considering. 

How Many People Will Be Attending?

Catering for an intimate family wake is vastly different to catering for 100+ mourners. So the first decision for you to make is what style of funeral reception you’d like to hold. In the same way that guests may be invited to a wedding ceremony, but not the reception (or vice versa), some wakes are open to all, while others are more intimate affairs. 

A reception is a great opportunity to share stories about your loved one’s life and reconnect with those whose lives they touched. Many of our clients choose Gateway Funeral Services because our spacious premises allow you to have both the funeral and reception in one location. That being said, we also work with many clients who would prefer the funeral to be held at home or their marae. Wherever you feel most comfortable gathering to mourn, we can bring the catering to you. 

DIY Funeral Catering vs Professional Funeral Catering

Whether you decide to invest in professional catering or opt to go down the path of DIY funeral catering, the most important thing is that you’re being well taken care of. Some of our clients find baking therapeutic and like the purpose that self-catering a funeral gives them in an otherwise chaotic period of their lives. Others can think of nothing worse than being in the kitchen! 

A potluck-style wake can be a great way to personalise the event, as guests feel they have a meaningful way to contribute. Of course, you may end up with three plates of curried eggs, but that’s all part and parcel of releasing control of the little things. 

If you’d like to have a say over what’s served, professional funeral catering is a worthwhile option. Although it’s the most expensive option for catering a funeral, many of our clients feel that it’s money well spent, as it allows them to be fully present in the day and have one less thing to think about. 

Find a Funeral Venue with Catering Options

If you choose to have the funeral at Gateway Funeral Chapel, you can leave the catering to us* and spend time with your whanau. With our on-site catering lounge, we can create a menu based on your preferences. Or, if you’d like to keep it simple, we can put on light refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits. Whether you’d like to hold a small, intimate family ceremony or plan to send your loved one off in style, we’re here to make it happen. 

To learn more about your options for catering a funeral, get in touch to speak with our team. 

*We are unable to offer self-catering options, and alcohol is strictly prohibited on the premises.