In the United States, funeral food traditions vary by region and cultural practices, but there are some dishes that are strongly associated with funerals across many states. Here’s a general overview of funeral foods and their prevalence, presented in a state-by-state table format.
Best recipes for each state speciality are linked below.
| State | Synonymous Funeral Food | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Fried Chicken | A Southern staple, often served as part of a comfort meal at post-funeral gatherings. |
| Alaska | Salmon | Common in Alaskan Native communities; salmon dishes are often served at gatherings. |
| Arizona | Tamales | In many Hispanic and Native communities, tamales are a common comfort food served at funerals. |
| Arkansas | Deviled Eggs | A popular side dish at Southern funeral gatherings, easy to prepare and share. |
| California | Casseroles (e.g., tuna or chicken)** | A go-to for many regions, casseroles are easy to make and serve to large groups. |
| Colorado | Green Chile | In the Southwest, green chile dishes are often served at communal events, including funerals. |
| Connecticut | Cold Cuts and Deli Platters | Many gatherings in the Northeast serve deli meats, cheeses, and sandwiches for funeral receptions. |
| Delaware | Crab Cakes | Given Delaware’s proximity to the coast, seafood like crab cakes may be common at funeral receptions. |
| Florida | Cuban Sandwiches | In Cuban-American communities, Cuban sandwiches and other cultural dishes are often shared at funerals. |
| Georgia | Sweet Tea and Southern Desserts (e.g., pies) | Sweet tea is a staple at Southern funerals, along with desserts like pecan pie or cobbler. |
| Hawaii | Poi and Kalua Pork | In Hawaiian traditions, poi and kalua pork are often served during family gatherings after a funeral. |
| Idaho | Funeral Potatoes | A cheesy potato casserole that is a traditional dish at many Mormon funerals. |
| Illinois | Italian Beef Sandwiches | In many parts of Illinois, Italian beef sandwiches are commonly served at funerals. |
| Indiana | Ham and Bean Soup | A comforting dish served at gatherings in many Midwestern funerals. |
| Iowa | Jello Salad | A popular side dish at many funerals, especially in rural areas. |
| Kansas | Funeral Casserole | Funeral gatherings often feature a wide array of homemade dishes brought by community members. |
| Kentucky | Burgoo | A hearty stew often served at gatherings, including funerals, in rural Kentucky. |
| Louisiana | Gumbo | In Cajun and Creole communities, gumbo is a comfort food served at funerals. |
| Maine | Lobster Rolls | A regional delicacy, often served at gatherings after funerals. |
| Maryland | Crab Soup | With its coastal traditions, Maryland funerals may include crab soup or other seafood dishes. |
| Massachusetts | Clam Chowder | In New England, clam chowder is a common dish at gatherings, including funeral receptions. |
| Michigan | Cabbage Rolls | Popular in Polish-American communities, cabbage rolls are often shared at post-funeral meals. |
| Minnesota | Lutefisk and Hotdish | In Scandinavian communities, lutefisk and hotdish (a casserole) are often served at funerals. |
| Mississippi | Macaroni and Cheese | A Southern comfort food that’s frequently found at post-funeral meals. |
| Missouri | BBQ Pork | In Missouri, barbecue dishes like pulled pork or ribs are common at large gatherings, including funerals. |
| Montana | Bison Stew | A common dish in Native American communities and rural areas, bison stew is often shared at funerals. |
| Nebraska | Fried Chicken and Cornbread | A staple comfort food at gatherings, particularly in rural communities. |
| Nevada | Lasagna | Lasagna or other pasta dishes are commonly served at many gatherings in Nevada. |
| New Hampshire | Baked Beans | A traditional side dish at many New England funerals, often served alongside ham. |
| New Jersey | Bagels and Lox | In Jewish communities, bagels, lox, and other deli foods are commonly served after funerals. |
| New Mexico | Enchiladas | A common dish in Hispanic communities, often served at post-funeral gatherings. |
| New York | Deli Meats and Bagels | Particularly in Jewish and Italian-American communities, deli meats, cheeses, and bagels are typical. |
| North Carolina | BBQ and Slaw | Barbecue, especially pulled pork, is a common dish at funerals in North Carolina. |
| North Dakota | Knoephla Soup | A traditional German soup served at many rural North Dakota funerals. |
| Ohio | Pierogi | In Polish and Eastern European communities, pierogi are often shared at funeral meals. |
| Oklahoma | Chicken and Dumplings | A Southern comfort dish commonly served at gatherings, including funerals. |
| Oregon | Salmon Patties | In coastal regions, salmon is often served at funeral gatherings. |
| Pennsylvania | Philly Cheesesteak | A common dish at larger gatherings, including funerals, particularly in the Philadelphia area. |
| Rhode Island | Stuffed Clams | A seafood dish commonly served at funeral receptions in coastal regions of Rhode Island. |
| South Carolina | Shrimp and Grits | A Southern dish often served at large gatherings, including funeral receptions. |
| South Dakota | Chislic | A traditional dish of cubed, deep-fried meat served at funerals, particularly in rural areas. |
| Tennessee | Biscuits and Gravy | A Southern comfort dish often served at gatherings, including funerals. |
| Texas | Brisket and BBQ sides | Texas BBQ, especially beef brisket, is a staple at many funeral gatherings. |
| Utah | Funeral Potatoes | A traditional Mormon dish of cheesy potato casserole served at many funerals. |
| Vermont | Maple Baked Beans | A dish made with local maple syrup, often served at New England funerals. |
| Virginia | Country Ham Biscuits | A traditional Southern dish often served at gatherings, including funerals. |
| Washington | Salmon and Wild Rice | A regional dish often served at large gatherings, including funerals. |
| West Virginia | Pepperoni Rolls | A regional specialty, pepperoni rolls are often served at funeral receptions. |
| Wisconsin | Cheese and Sausage Platters | In many communities, especially those with German and Scandinavian heritage, cheese and sausage are common. |
| Wyoming | Elk Stew | A traditional dish in rural areas, often served at gatherings including funerals. |
