Celebrating the life of a loved one with a carefully planned funeral catering service can be a heartfelt and significant tribute. Providing good food for your funeral guests can help unite people and make what is undoubtedly a stressful and upsetting time much more bearable. However, quite understandably the death of a loved one can often impact on our ability to function normally.
This can mean that planning or organising the funeral and wake becomes a difficult and extremely stressful task. To help you deal with this our team can provide you with a bespoke option that will ensure you honour the memory of your loved one in the best way possible. With a wide range of menu choices, we can cater for all different tastes meaning that we can help ensure your funeral is the celebration of life that it should be.
A Brief Overview of Funeral Customs and Traditions
The majority of funeral traditions have been part of different cultures throughout history. Passed down through the generations they are an essential part of the whole grieving process. How we say goodbye to loved ones varies greatly depending on religion and where in the world you are.
Every culture has its own unique way of expressing their emotions, covering things like burial traditions and the type of clothes you wear. For example In Eurocentric cultures, wearing black is a mark of respect, whereas in the Asian subcontinent, white symbolises purity. These nuanced differences in how we honour our loved ones add a distinct character to these customs
One thing that is a constant when it comes to the different traditions is the provision of food at the wake. Funeral catering is provided to not only show love and respect to the departed but to offer solace to the mourners. As with dress and burial customs the food served at a wake will also display cultural influences. Examples of this would be in Ireland where Irish wake cakes are a must and Jamaica where you are likely to be served a nice goat curry with rice and beans.
Things you Should Consider when Selecting a Funeral Caterer
The funeral catering service you choose should be well planned, show respect and help make a difficult situation more bearable. In order to achieve this there are a number of things you need to take into account. Listed below are some of the things we feel you should take into consideration when choosing your funeral caterers.
Previous experience of Catering at Funerals
Funeral catering can often be a highly emotional undertaking and as a result, it must be arranged with consideration for the sensitivities of both hosts and guests. The service provider should possess a unique combination of culinary expertise, skill, empathy, and organisational efficiency. To make sure the event goes to plan, it is important that you hire a caterer experienced in handling similar occasions. The experience and know-how of your caterers can have an impact on the success of the function.
Customer Reviews and References
Just because they have catered for funerals before does not always mean a caterer is providing a quality service. This is why you should always look at reviews from previous customers. You can usually find these on google or by checking websites for comments or reviews.
Probably the best way to find a trusted reliable funeral caterer is through word of mouth. If you can speak to someone who has used their services before, that is often the best kind of recommendation. Alternatively you could ask the company to provide copies of references from previous events.
Customs and Traditions
You normally organise a funeral in line with the wishes of the deceased taking into account their religion and any customs or traditions associated with it. The choice of food will usually reflect their culture and customs.
This could also impact the way the food is prepared and served, so when you choose a caterer it is imperative they are well aware of these customs and have the ability to follow specific instructions.
Size of the Gathering
The number of people attending a funeral will have an influence on the catering as it plays a big part in menu choice, service and logistics. If your gathering is a small affair limited to close family and friends it could easily be catered by a company. In the case of larger funerals it may be necessary to engage the services of a larger professional catering company. The number of people attending the wake will also play a part in deciding how you choose to serve the food.
Type of Service
How you want your food served and how many people are attending your funeral will play a part in deciding which caterer you opt for. The preferred choice for larger gatherings is usually a buffet service, whereas for a smaller more intimate wake you may be able to manage with pre plated foods. It is essential that you ensure the caterer you choose can deliver the type of service you are looking for.
Menu Planning
One of the most crucial elements of any catering event is planning the menu. Numerous decisions must be made well ahead of time, including the selection of dishes and any necessary customisations. The menu planning process must be meticulous, especially for a funeral, where dietary needs of the attendees must also be considered. Requesting tasting samples before the event is an excellent practice, as it allows for adjustments and changes to be made in advance.
Range of Services
The range of services offered by a caterer should always be considered when making your choice. For example some caterers provide a start to finish service that includes setting up the room and clearing up afterwards. Alternatively others may just provide a drop off service which is where the caterer delivers pre prepped food to the location. If this is the option you decide on you must make sure you make provisions for setting up, serving the food and clearing up afterwards.
Location and Distance
How close a caterer is to the venue of the funeral is also important. If you choose a funeral catering service that is close by you can usually guarantee that the food will be fresh, served on time and makes it easier if there are any last minute changes. Our advice would be to choose a local funeral catering service who have a good knowledge of the area.
Why Choose Sadlergates for your Funeral Catering
With years of experience the team here at Sadlergates are the perfect choice for all your funeral catering needs. The quality of the service we provide is demonstrated by the fact we have over 90 five star ratings. We have the ability to adapt to the specific needs of clients from different cultures and religions and our wide selection of menu choices reflects this.
So, if you are looking for a funeral catering in Nottingham that offers high quality food, outstanding customer service at a competitive price, get in touch with our professional team today. We can tailor our service to ensure you give your loved one the send off they deserve.
