Cost guide
How much does funeral catering cost?
A delivered cold wake buffet costs £7 to £15 per head, covering sandwiches, savouries such as quiche and sausage rolls, and cakes. Hot food, or a buffet with staff to serve tea and clear away, runs £12 to £25. For 50 mourners that is roughly £350 to £750 delivered, or £600 to £1,250 served.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Cold wake buffet, delivered, per head | £7 to £15 |
| Hot fork buffet, per head | £12 to £25 |
| Buffet with waiting staff, per head | £18 to £25 |
| Tea and coffee service, per head | £2 to £4 |
| Cold buffet for 50 mourners, delivered | £350 to £750 |
Ask for the final-numbers deadline and whether the price changes if fewer people come back than expected. Funeral numbers are hard to predict, and a caterer who plans with you for a range is easier to work with than one who wants a single figure a week ahead.
What moves the price
- Cold or hot. A cold finger buffet is the cheapest; hot dishes need chafing dishes and more work.
- Delivered or served. Staff to pour tea, replenish and clear away add to the price per head.
- Guest numbers and the minimum order. Small wakes may pay the minimum.
- Tea, coffee and crockery. Some caterers include them; others charge per head or hire them out.
- The venue. A hall with a kitchen is easier than a home or a room with no facilities.
Who quotes for it
1 of the 2,162 caterers listed on this site take on funeral catering.
Where they are: North Walsham (1).
Questions about funeral catering
Who usually pays for the wake?
It is usually paid by the family, often from the estate as part of the funeral costs. Ask the funeral director or the executor how funeral costs are being handled.
Can a wake be catered at home?
Yes. A delivered cold buffet on platters works well at home. Check there is fridge space and room to lay it out, and ask the caterer to collect their platters later.