A funeral reception is a time for the deceased’s loved ones to gather and share memories. It’s often a very emotional gathering. That’s why it’s only right to choose the best funeral homes near Daytona Beach, FL where your family can be comfortable in times of grief. After the funeral, many people want to connect with others and reminisce.
If you’re hosting the funeral, your guests will expect you to provide food. A reception with nothing to eat or drink will end very quickly.
Some cultures demand that funeral receptions are akin to feasts. The whole family works together to cook and provide food for everyone. If you’re hosting the reception, you have a lot of responsibilities, but you usually don’t have to prepare food yourself.
In other cultures, there’s no demand for the quantity of food. The host provides everything. If you’re in this situation, you have complete control over what you serve. You can offer your guests a smorgasbord or you can go the opposite route and provide nothing beyond light refreshments.
Food is intricately related to culture. If your culture prizes food during gatherings, it might seem like a slight if you slack off on the reception preparations.
If you’re too overwhelmed to plan the party yourself, you can try hiring a caterer or asking your friends and family to help you cook.
Here are some food ideas that are simple and affordable:
- Pasta. Almost everyone loves pasta dishes. Pasta is filling and easily adapted to different dietary needs.
- Cheese platter
- Veggie/fruit platter
- Bread
- Pastries
- Hot dogs and hamburgers
- Sandwich bar
If you’re going to serve a lot of people, think about hosting a buffet rather than a sit-down dinner. It’s much easier to manage. Remember to also serve kid-friendly food.
Desserts at funerals are surprisingly controversial. Some people believe that sweets are inappropriate in somber settings while others believe that they’re the best part of the reception. Use your own feelings as a guide on this subject.
Remember, if cooking and organizing the food becomes too much for you to handle, you can outsource the work. Your goal isn’t to impress anyone or end up on the cover of Food Magazine. Unless of course you express yourself through food. In that case, it may give you comfort to provide an amazing meal for your family.
Just don’t feel obligated to do so.
People aren’t going to remember what they ate at the reception. They’re going to think about their emotions and what words were said. Food is like air. It’s necessary for survival but it’s often not at the forefront of your mind.
If you want to save money and time on catering and you think your family won’t be offended, you can turn the reception into a potluck affair.
At Baldauff Family Funeral Home and Crematory, we can help you plan your loved one’s funeral. You shouldn’t have to worry about small details, leave that to us. Our caring staff will always be here to serve you. Give us a call at (386) 775-2101 or stop by at 1233 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.
