CATERING TO DIVERSITY (CONTINUED)
“Eating is important for both nourishment and as a way to bring people together during grief and loss, so we must recognize the human experience behind the event and caterers need to bring their whole heart and empathy to what they offer.” —Beth Hiler
Simplifying service There are varying degrees to approach funeral catering from a service perspective. Whereas some caterers specialize in “drop-off” menus, others go the full-service route. “Having a range of catering services available is important when planning for and logistically handling funeral services,” says Hiler. “By acknowledging the complexities of family dynamics and expressions of grief, offering a variety of styles ensures that each funeral service receives personalized care and customization, tailored to exactly what the family wants or needs.” Drop-off This style of catering is one of the more frequently requested services for funerals. “This option provides a quiet, unobtrusive way to offer a comforting meal during a sensitive time, allowing for privacy and reflection,” says May Cleary (Partyman Catering). “It is perfect for more intimate or informal funeral gatherings, where minimizing disruption is paramount, but we can still provide a thoughtful meal for grieving loved ones.”
to empathize with your client and what they and their family are going through. Be patient and be willing to navigate some frustrations since emotions are high and often out of our control.” As much as caterers can try and streamline operations for these short turnaround times, they also need to have a degree of flexibility while maintaining high-quality offerings and service. “It’s easy, especially once you’ve established efficiencies internally, to forget that there is a huge emotional component that we do not have control over,” says Hiler.
Additionally, training staff to interact with compassion and empathy is crucial, as a caring
approach can significantly impact families during a difficult time. Train your staff to be both attentive and discreet. They should be prepared to serve with empathy, maintaining a low profile while being ready to assist as needed. Your team should handle any issues with grace and efficiency, ensuring that the focus remains on supporting the bereaved. “You must both be able to solve problems or logistical complications while also being as unobtrusive as possible, which can be challenging for the team if they aren’t trained to balance these concerns with the emotional aspects of funeral events,” says Hiler.
WINTER 2024 ■ CATERSOURCE
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