Culinary Lane: Your Auckland Funeral Catering Experts
Specialising in funeral Catering to Rodney & The North Shore.
Over the Harbour Bridge by request.
Funeral receptions are an important way to honour and remember a loved one who has passed away. During these events, it's important to provide quality food for guests to ensure they feel comfortable and cared for. That's where Culinary Lane Catering comes in. As an Auckland-based catering service, we specialize in funeral catering and understand the importance of providing high-quality and respectful service during such a difficult time. Whether you're planning a large reception or a small gathering, we're here to help you create a meaningful and memorable experience for your guests.
Culinary Lane Catering can help with any questions you may have about catering and our aim is to make the time as easy as possible for you and your guests. We can also provide front of house staff or Mark Lane to reheat and assist with serving the food on request.
Should You Serve Food at a Funeral?
Serving food at a funeral can be a sensitive topic, and many people may wonder if it's appropriate. However, providing a meal for guests can actually offer many benefits and can be an important part of the grieving process.
Some common questions and concerns about serving food at a funeral include:
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Is it appropriate to serve food at a funeral?
While some may view it as inappropriate, serving food can actually offer a sense of comfort and support to grieving guests.
How do you accommodate guests with dietary restrictions?
It's always a good idea to check if there are any dietary requirements for any of the guests. You choose your menu choices and Culinary Lane Catering can adjust the dishes to suit the dietary requirements you may have.
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Providing a catering service for funeral guests can offer many benefits, including:
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Comfort and support
Providing a meal can show guests that you appreciate their support and want to offer them comfort during a difficult time.
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Time to connect
A meal provides an opportunity for guests to connect with each other and share memories of the deceased.
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Convenience
Hiring a catering service can take the stress off of the family and allow them to focus on other aspects of planning the funeral.
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Overall, serving food at a funeral can be an important part of the grieving process and can offer many benefits to both the family and guests.
How Do You Cater for a Funeral?
Planning and catering for a funeral reception can seem overwhelming, especially during an already stressful time. However, with careful planning and attention to detail, you can provide a high-quality and respectful service for your guests. Here are some tips and advice on how to cater for a funeral:
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Consider the number of guests
Determine the number of guests you expect to attend the funeral reception, and plan the catering accordingly. This will help you determine the amount of food and beverages you will need.
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Choose appropriate menu options
Consider the time of day and the length of the reception when selecting menu options. For example, if the reception is held in the morning or early afternoon, consider serving light finger foods or sandwiches. If the reception is held in the evening, consider serving hot dishes and a variety of sides.
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Accommodate dietary restrictions
Be sure to ask guests about any dietary restrictions they may have, such as allergies or vegetarian preferences, and plan the menu accordingly. Providing a variety of options will ensure that all guests are able to enjoy the food.
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Set up a serving area
Set up a designated area for the food and beverages, and ensure that it is easily accessible for guests. Label the food items and provide serving utensils to avoid confusion.
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Consider hiring a professional catering service
Hiring a professional catering service can help ease the stress of planning and ensure that the food and service are of high quality. At Culinary Lane Catering, we specialize in funeral catering and offer a variety of menu options to suit your needs.
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By following these tips and taking the time to plan carefully, you can provide a quality catering service for funeral guests that honours the memory of your loved one.
What Food Do You Serve at a Funeral Reception?
When planning a funeral reception, it's important to choose food options that are appropriate and comforting for guests. Popular options include finger foods, sandwiches, and hot dishes. Here are some examples of each:
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Canapes & Finger foods
Canapes and finger foods are the most popular choice for funerals as they don't usually require seating, plates, or cutlery and allow the guests to move around freely to talk to guests. Please see Culinary Lane Caterings "Catering" menu for all options for Canapes, Sandwiches, Sliders, Wraps, and platters.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a classic option for funeral receptions and can be easily customized to suit guests' preferences. Examples include egg salad, tuna salad, and chicken salad sandwiches, as well as deli meats and cheeses.
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Hot dishes
Hot dishes are a comforting option for funeral receptions and can be served buffet-style. Examples include lasagna, baked ziti, and macaroni and cheese.
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At Culinary Lane, we offer a variety of funeral catering menus that include a range of options to suit your needs. Our menus include finger foods, sandwiches, and hot dishes, as well as a variety of sides and desserts. We understand the importance of providing comforting and satisfying food during such a difficult time and strive to make the planning process as easy and stress-free as possible for our clients.
What is the Meal After The Funeral Called?
After a funeral service, it's common for guests to gather for a meal. There are different types of post-funeral meals, including funeral receptions and funeral luncheons.
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Funeral receptions
A funeral reception is typically a more informal gathering that takes place immediately following the funeral service. It's often held at the funeral home or a nearby location and may include light refreshments or finger foods.
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Funeral luncheons
A funeral luncheon is a more formal meal that takes place after the funeral service. It's typically held at a restaurant, Hired hall or club, or private residence.
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Providing a post-funeral meal is an important way to show guests that you appreciate their support and want to offer them comfort during difficult times. It also provides an opportunity for guests to share memories and support each other.
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At Culinary Lane, we offer funeral catering services for both funeral receptions and funeral luncheons. We understand the importance of providing a comforting and satisfying meal for guests and work closely with our clients to ensure that their needs and preferences are met.
What Do You Put on a Funeral Buffet?
A well-balanced and appealing funeral buffet can provide a comforting and satisfying experience for guests. Here are some popular options to consider:
Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches or sliders are a popular and easy option for funeral buffets. Consider offering a variety of fillings, such as egg salad, tuna, and chicken.
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Salads
A fresh salad is a great way to balance out heavier dishes on a buffet. Consider offering a variety of options, such as a mixed green salad or a pasta salad.
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Hot dishes
Comfort foods like casseroles, lasagna, and ham on the bone can be a great option for a funeral buffet. Consider offering vegetarian options as well.
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Desserts
Offer a selection of small desserts, such as sweet slices cut into petit four, brownies, and fruit tarts. These can provide a sweet treat and a sense of comfort.
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When creating a funeral buffet, it's important to consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Variety
Offer a variety of options to ensure that there is something for everyone. Consider offering vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
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Balance
Make sure there is a balance of hot and cold dishes, as well as sweet and savory options.
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Presentation
The way the food is presented can impact the overall experience. Consider using platters and trays of varying heights to create an attractive and inviting display.
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At Culinary Lane, we understand the importance of creating a well-balanced and appealing funeral buffet. Mark Lane, owner of Culinary Lane Catering, can work with you to create a customized menu that reflects your preferences and needs.
Do You Serve Cake at a Funeral?
It's common to serve cake at a funeral reception as a way to honour the life of the deceased and offer comfort to guests. There are many options available when it comes to selecting a cake for a funeral reception, including traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla, as well as more unique options like carrot cake or red velvet.
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At Culinary Lane Catering, we offer a variety of boutique dessert options for funeral catering, including tarts and sweet slices. If you are after a specialized cake Mark Lane would be more than happy to make recommendations for this service
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When selecting a cake for a funeral reception, it's important to consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests. For example, if some guests are gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions, it may be necessary to offer alternative dessert options.
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Overall, serving cake or other desserts at a funeral reception can be a meaningful way to honor the life of the deceased and offer comfort to guests during a difficult time. At Culinary Lane, we are committed to providing quality funeral catering services that meet the needs and preferences of our clients and their guests.
What is the Dinner Before a Funeral Called?
It's common for families and loved ones to gather together for a meal or dinner before a funeral service. This gathering may be referred to as a pre-funeral dinner, a funeral wake, or a funeral vigil. The purpose of this gathering is to honor the life of the deceased and offer support to one another during a difficult time.
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Planning and catering for a pre-funeral gathering can be a challenging task, particularly if you are also dealing with the stress of planning a funeral service. At Culinary Lane, we understand the importance of providing quality food and service for pre-funeral gatherings, and we offer a variety of catering options to meet your needs.
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When planning a pre-funeral dinner or gathering, it's important to consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests. Finger foods, Canapes, and sandwiches are popular options for pre-funeral gatherings, as they are easy to eat and can accommodate a variety of dietary needs.
At Culinary Lane, we offer a range of pre-funeral catering options, including platters of finger foods and sandwiches, as well as more substantial hot dishes like lasagna or quiche. Mark Lane, owner of Culinary Laen Catering can work with you to create a customized menu that meets your specific needs and preferences.
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Overall, a pre-funeral dinner or gathering can be a meaningful way to honor the life of the deceased and offer support to loved ones during difficult times.
At Culinary Lane, we are committed to providing quality funeral catering services that meet the needs and preferences of our clients and their guests.
What Drinks to Serve at a Funeral?
When it comes to funeral catering, it's important to consider not just the food options, but also what drinks to serve. While alcohol may be appropriate for some funeral receptions, it's important to also provide non-alcoholic options for guests.
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Water, tea, and coffee are all popular options for funeral receptions. Soft drinks and juices are also commonly served, as well as sparkling water or soda for a more upscale event. It's a good idea to have a mix of hot and cold beverage options available.
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Ultimately, the drinks you serve at a funeral should reflect the preferences and needs of the guests and family members. It's important to be mindful of any cultural or religious traditions related to food and drink and to work with a catering service that can provide customised options to meet your needs.
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Culinary Lane Catering doesn't provide drink options but can give advice on requirements, amounts required, or businesses that can provide this service to make your guests feel at ease at this challenging time.
Who Pays for The Dinner After the Funeral?
When it comes to catering for a funeral, one question that often comes up is who pays for the reception or wake. Traditionally, the family of the deceased is responsible for covering the cost of the funeral and any associated expenses, including catering. However, there may be circumstances where other parties may offer to pay for the catering or contribute to the costs.
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It's important to communicate clearly with the family about the cost of the catering services and any associated fees or charges. Many catering companies, including Culinary Lane, will provide a detailed breakdown of costs and work with the family to ensure that the catering service fits within their budget.
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In some cases, it may be appropriate for friends or other community members to offer to contribute to the cost of the catering. This can be a meaningful gesture of support and can help ease the financial burden on the family during a difficult time.
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Ultimately, the decision of who pays for the funeral catering will depend on the circumstances and the wishes of the family. As a catering service, Culinary Lane is committed to providing high-quality and compassionate service to our clients during this sensitive time.
Funeral Catering Cost Breakdown
Funeral catering is an important aspect of a funeral reception or luncheon. The cost of funeral catering can vary depending on various factors, such as the number of guests and the menu options chosen. In this section, we will discuss the factors that may affect the cost of funeral catering and provide a breakdown of Culinary Lane's funeral catering costs.
Factors that Affect Funeral Catering Costs:
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Number of guests
The more guests that are attending the funeral reception or wake, the more food and drinks will need to be provided, which can increase the cost of catering services.
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Menu options
The types of food and drinks that are provided can also affect the cost of catering services. More expensive options, such as gourmet dishes or premium beverages, will generally cost more than basic options.
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Location
The location of the funeral reception or wake can also affect the cost of catering services. Venues with higher rental fees may require a higher catering fee to cover costs.
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Funeral Catering Cost Breakdown: At Culinary Lane Catering, we offer a variety of funeral catering menus to meet the needs and preferences of our clients. Our funeral catering costs typically include the following:
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Food
Our funeral catering menus range in price from $15 to $60 per person, depending on the menu options chosen. Our menus include a variety of options, from finger foods and sandwiches to hot dishes and desserts.
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Service Staff Hireage
​Culinary Lane Catering can provide Front of House Staff for serving your guests or Mark Lane will reheat and assist in serving all the food required for your catering. Please ask for these options upon your inquiry.
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Additional fees
Additional fees may apply at the venue for services such as table and chair rentals, linens, and tableware. Culinary Lane does offer catering equipment that you can rent for your service.
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At Culinary Lane, we believe in providing value for our clients by offering quality funeral catering services at a reasonable cost. We understand the importance of providing a comforting and memorable experience for funeral guests, and our catering services are designed to meet those needs while staying within our clients' budgets.
Funeral Catering
Providing quality food for funeral guests is an important aspect of planning a funeral reception or wake. It helps create a welcoming environment for guests and can provide a sense of comfort during a difficult time.
By using a professional catering service like Culinary Lane, you can ensure that your guests are provided with delicious and well-presented food options that cater to their dietary needs and preferences.
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At Culinary Lane, we understand the importance of creating a memorable experience for your guests, which is why we specialise in funeral catering. Our menus are designed to offer a wide variety of options, from finger foods and sandwiches to hot dishes and desserts.
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If you are in need of funeral catering services North of the Harbour Bridge in Auckland, look no further than Culinary Lane Catering. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and how we can provide a tailored catering solution that meets your needs and budget.