Food and Recipes 40 Comforting Foods You'll See On Southern Funeral Spreads By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 28, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Southern Living At first glance, a Southern funeral spread looks part special holiday feast, part celebratory potluck. The impressive lineup of casseroles, warm and cold salads, stately hams and rotisserie chickens, pans of cornbread, and baskets of rolls is fit for the coronation of a king; but in this case, it's for a very different occasion. It really is true when they say: "Nobody in the world eats better than a bereaved Southerner." And don't forget the desserts. The delicious array of pound cakes, pies, Jello creations, coffee cakes, and biscuits give every sweet ounce of condolence you need in a time of grieving. Southern funeral food is all about providing comfort to those in attendance and honoring those who are not. Here are the staple Southern comfort classics you'll see on every funeral reception menu. 01 of 40 Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Beth Dreiling Hontzas There's little more comforting than melty, creamy macaroni and cheese—and this classic recipe will feed a funeral crowd without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Bake this in the oven for crisp edges and a creamy center. 02 of 40 Ham Biscuits Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas There might not be anything better for the heart than a fluffy buttermilk biscuit accompanied by country ham. Pair these with our newest spread—Creole Mayonnaise—and every guest's need will be satisfied. 03 of 40 Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad Hector Manuel Sanchez This Southern classic belongs on the funeral spread just as much as with our Easter ham or at our summer picnics. This traditional version always pleases the crowd—who generally thinks their plate deserves at least a little spoonful of it, no matter what. 04 of 40 Mama's Fried Chicken Southern Living For reasons unknown, you simply can't beat the comforting touch of perfectly crispy fried chicken, making it a staple at wakes across the South. A soak in buttermilk makes this chicken juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. 05 of 40 Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole Hector Sanchez This vintage classic is Mama-approved, making it an obvious staple at any reception or for any condolence gift. The ingredient list might be short and simple, but the helpings are packed with flavor. 06 of 40 Classic Fresh Field Peas Photo: Iain Bagwell We're hard-pressed to find a situation that can't benefit from the addition of a ham hock, and a Southern funeral is no exception. This simple side is a perfect and refreshing match for the biscuits and chicken on the table. 07 of 40 Funeral Potatoes As their name suggests, funeral potatoes are Southerners' most faithful attendee at wakes and for condolence gifts. The hashbrown-based casserole usually includes plenty of cheese, a creamy base, onions, butter, and a flaky, crunchy topping, which is usually made of potato chips or cornflakes. 08 of 40 Southern-Style Collard Greens Jim Franco; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Simon Andrews Even if we don't serve collard greens at every funeral, they always deserve a place on funeral spreads honoring a true Southern soul food lover. They may take some time to cook, but most of it is hands-off. These taste even better the next day. 09 of 40 Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Hector Manuel Sanchez We're not sure any funeral spread would be right without a poppyseed casserole. Odds are, you've seen this comforting casserole everywhere from wakes to potlucks to Mama's house. 10 of 40 Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread Brian Woodcock Funeral spreads can always use a few full dishes of this classic comfort food. The secret to this irresistible recipe is to brown the butter before cooking the cornbread in a cast-iron skillet. 11 of 40 New Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips Greg Dupree We updated this old-fashioned recipe to be creamier, cheesier, and crunchier; but it still lives on as a classic sympathy dish in the South. This dish feeds a crowd, but it likely won’t last long. 12 of 40 Spinach Dip Jochel28/Getty Images Creamy spinach dip makes a great addition to your lineup of salads and casseroles, and our editors love this Junior League recipe that gets the perfect little kick from crushed red pepper. Serve with baguette slices or chips. 13 of 40 Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes Beth Dreiling Hontzas Cheesy scalloped potatoes foster comradery between Southerners like no other, making the dish a great big helping of comfort during grieving. For even cooking and to ensure a creamy dish, stir every ten minutes during cooking. 14 of 40 Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Make this bourbon, brown sugar-glazed ham the focal point of your spread. The glaze caramelizes during the end of cooking. Serve with spicy pineapple chutney. 15 of 40 King Ranch Chicken Southern Living Spice up the offerings with this longtime favorite. The cheesy Mexican dish is packed with smoked chicken, sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and green chiles for a flavor-bursting combination. 16 of 40 5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Photo: Iain Bagwell You probably have these five ingredients on hand, so you're already on your way to helping supply one of the most appreciated and versatile components of the Southern funeral spread. With just a few minutes of hands-on time, this meal cooks in the slow cooker for juicy results. 17 of 40 Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole Alison Miksch This savory casserole of smoked sausage, grits, and Cheddar cheese works for just about any occasion or at any time of day, but it really makes a great fit for late-morning receptions where everyone needs a little extra indulgent comfort. This is great for making ahead and baking before serving. 18 of 40 Picnic Egg Salad Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Whether it's served with crostinis or on tea-sized sandwiches, classic egg salad provides a simple sense of familiarity for those grieving. This variation tastes like everyone’s favorite version with the addition of radish for a peppery bite. 19 of 40 Cocktail Meatballs Hector Manuel Sanchez While we love the ones our mamas made with chili sauce and grape jelly, these meatballs are another crowd-pleaser. This recipe mixes ground beef with the sweet, the tart, and the unexpected: brown sugar, lemon juice, and horseradish, to make the perfect mini bite. 20 of 40 Baked Ziti with Sausage Southern Living This Italian dish is hearty, flavorful, and super easy to make. With a homemade meat sauce, it still comes together in under an hour. 21 of 40 Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller You pretty much can't go wrong with this old-school casserole. Without even a dollop of creamy canned soup, it'll stay fresh and delicious as the hours pass. 22 of 40 Creamy Grape Salad with Pecans therecipecritic.com Funeral spreads aren't complete without plenty of cold salads, and this grape-studded dish is deliciously creamy but gets a slight crunch from chopped pecans. This makes plenty for a crowd. 23 of 40 Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya Greg DuPree This Creole classic has been supplying support and comfort to grieving Southerners for decades. This recipe is a no-brainer because it's easy to make, is full of delicious ingredients, and comes together in less than an hour! 24 of 40 Classic Deviled Eggs Photo: Hector Sanchez Plop a tray of traditional deviled eggs down at any Southern gathering, and you'll find them gone before anything else. A hearty batch of these will make the funeral spread complete. 25 of 40 Pineapple Casserole Southern Living This sweet, cheesy, and savory casserole full of chunks of pineapple will bring some nostalgic solace to any group of grieving Southerners. Double up this recipe for a hearty 13x9 version. 26 of 40 Tomato Aspic Southern Living While this dish is no less polarizing than the great Southern barbecue sauce debate, it's a beloved staple at old-fashioned Southern affairs. Even just seeing it at a reception will provide a little warmth and comfort. 27 of 40 Chocolate-Mayonnaise Sheet Cake Hector Manuel Sanchez No dessert is more comforting than a chocolate cake. This 13x9 version of the old-school classic makes it even easier to prepare and transport to any wake, and the crowd will scrape that dish clean. 28 of 40 Zesty Lemon Pie Jennifer Davick You'll pair amazing citrus flavor with a beautiful presentation if you make sure to add a mound of fresh whipped cream, lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves to this beloved pie. 29 of 40 Chocolate-Peanut Butter Icebox Pie Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely This cool decadent dessert will bring sweet joy to any summer reception. Guests will rave over the chocolate custard cradled in a Nutter Butter crust. The pretty presentation of chocolate-covered peanuts over fluffy whipped cream doesn't hurt either. 30 of 40 Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad Southern Living Is any Southern wake complete without a Jello salad? This strawberry gelatin, cream cheese, whipped topping, and pretzel creation has been making appearances on the funeral scene for decades past. 31 of 40 Southern Pimiento Cheese Southern Living This refrigerator staple will always be a Southern favorite, no matter the occasion. Keep a fresh batch in a plastic storage container in the fridge and never be caught without something familiar to offer guests, relatives, and mourners alike. 32 of 40 Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls Laurey W. Glenn These pillowy-soft rolls are like a warm hug with each bite. Make up a couple of batches and freeze one just in case extras are called for. 33 of 40 Hot Chicken Salad Your favorite chicken salad gets even more comforting as a baked version. This is a creamy, cheesy dip-style casserole with almonds and water chestnuts for crunch. Topped with potato chips, this dish will be your go-to comfort meal. 34 of 40 Sloppy Joe Casserole Southern Living This casserole has all of the flavors without the mess of the beloved sloppy joe sandwich. Here, the bun is turned into a toasty topping. 35 of 40 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Greg DuPree Creamy casseroles are certainly the theme at Southern funerals, and this baked alfredo falls right in line. The convenience of jarred alfredo and pesto sauces and a rotisserie chicken make this easy to pull together at a moment’s notice. 36 of 40 Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Beth Dreiling Hontzas This dish ensures young and old will find something they like at the funeral spread. Favorite pizza toppings are added to spaghetti for a cheesy casserole that pleases. 37 of 40 Everything Bagel Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee For receptions earlier in the day, make this hearty brunch casserole filled with everything bagels, cream cheese, and sausage. Hot sauce adds a kick. Prep ahead of time, and bake just before serving. 38 of 40 Best Brown Butter Blondies Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Audrey Davis Sweets are not to be forgotten from the funeral spread. Dessert trays will abound, but classics like these blondies will draw everyone in. 39 of 40 Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake Hector Manuel Sanchez Pasta always comforts, and this creamy version with kale is no exception. Ready in under 30 minutes, this breadcrumb-topped casserole will be a hit for you and for recipients. 40 of 40 Salted Caramel Banana Pudding Joy Howard This classic Southern standby really soothes, no matter the occasion. This version has the bonus of drizzles of salted caramel between the layers of vanilla wafer cookies, bananas, and custard. Top with fresh whipped cream. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit