What would you expect after funeral scheduled for 1pm

[astranna]

I am in the process of helping to organise a funeral and was just beginning to wonder about refreshments afterwards.

Funeral will be tradaitional Church of England followed by burial. Its starting at 1 so would be over 2-2:15ish. We're then going on to local comunity hall for refreshments.

Obviously there will be tea and coffee and something else but should that be sandwiches/sausage roll/ crisps type buffet or concentrate more on cakes?

All of the food you mention. Some people will not have had lunch beforehand.

Buffet with a few cakes will be fine.
I'm sorry for your loss

A bit of both, I'd say. Sorry for your loss.

At that time of day I'd just do cake, as people will have had lunch.

Both as it will be lunch really won't it, albeit a late one. So sandwiches, crisps, sausages rolls and cakes.

Where are (most) people coming from? Starting at 1pm means travelling over lunchtime.

Sorry for your loss. I would do both.

Some major Supermarkets can prepare food for Funeral buffets, etc; look on their websites, if doing it yourself, depending on how many expected, several packets of Mr Kipling style cakes will be suffice to add to the savouries, though be sure to make sure there is something vegan/vegetarian on offer also

I would provide sandwiches etc. most people will have been getting ready and travelling over lunch, plus people tend to arrive a bit early for these things so many people will have arrived by 12.30 so no chance to eat beforehand.

I got M&S sandwiches and little cakes from their catering range. I picked them up in the morning and made sure there was enough fridge space.

Sorry for your loss.

I'd go along the lines of afternoon tea, sandwiches, crisps, possibly some tomatoes/cucumber slices and cake. Obviously do something vegan/veggie in terms of a sandwich filling and bear in mind if you know someone is gluten free, so a few gluten free sandwiches or bites they can eat.

Definitely sandwiches and that sort of thing. Crisps, little sausage rolls and cakes.

As PP said if it starts at 1 then most people won't have a chance to get anything other a late breakfast beforehand

I would expect a buffet

I would expect - and would provide - proper food line sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes. People will be hungry

I would do a full buffet, at that time people are likely to have travelled over lunchtime and probably won’t have eaten since breakfast, they’ll be hungry.

Sorry for your loss x

Sorry for your loss.

I'd expect a buffet(Sandwiches and bits) not just cakes.

Sorry for your loss. I'd personally provide a light tea people may outstay their welcome if you do a full feed.

More is best. Whatever you decide don't scrimp. I am not saying you will BTW! A mix of savoury and sweet is the best bet IMO.

I will never forget a funeral of a cousin's daughter (very sad indeed). I had flown in from abroad, got a cab to the church, a lift to the crem and the reception was in a fancy golf club type hotel. There were a few limp chicken strips and curly sandwiches left by the time I got to the table. I don't blame the family I blame the caterers, they usually re stock the table a couple of times, well that's in my experience.

I can tell you I was absolutely starving, as I had gone since breakfast until around 3pm on nothing apart from a few mints I had with hairs growing on them in my bag.

Not making fun of things, and sorry for your bereavement.

I would put on a reasonable spread as some people won't have had time for lunch. But also take plenty of tubs/bags with you so you can take any leftovers home or give them to people to take home. In my experience there's usually too much food.

Another vote for a cold, savoury, finger buffet. I know not everyone has someone they can ask but I recently helped a friend with the wake for her grandfathers funeral. I didn't know him so didn't attend the funeral myself.

Instead I went to the house (they were hosting the wake at her home) after everyone had left for the crematorium. We had borrowed an urn so got that on, they laid out and garnished the food, I was also able to pop a few trays of sausage rolls, cheese straws and mini quiches in the oven to warm through as they are best served warm.
The friend rang be when they left the crem so I could whip off the cling film, plate up the warm bits and make big pots of tea and coffee. Then, when everyone arrived they could tuck in straight away. It worked really well.

Sorry forgot to add with a few big cakes or scones with jam and cream for after.

People tend not to eat much at funerals ime. However most won't have had lunch especially if they have to travel more than half an hour. Tea, cake and some sandwiches is fine. No-one expects a big spread unless it's more of a wake which is unlikely after a CofE funeral.

Definately sandwiches and cakes at the very minimum.

I'm very sorry for your loss

As others have said - go for the savoury finger buffet, sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps or similar maybe scones and jam, rather than cakes for afters? Make sure you have enough as people may not have eaten since breakfast - and take plenty of empty tubs, or bags for the left overs to give to people to take home - or to take home yourself

I'd offer a late lunch as many people may have travelled for the funeral and not had time for lunch on the way. I'd do a simple buffet.