Yes, we know, funerals are hard. But they’re also full of love, hugs, awkward stories your aunt shouldn’t have told... and food. Lots of food.

Turns out, no matter where you go in the world, when someone passes away, people show up with food in hand. And what’s on the plate? It really depends on where you’re from.

Let’s take a little world tour of funeral food—forks at the ready.

________________________________________

New Zealand: Where There’s Grief, There’s Pavlova

Here in Aotearoa, the go-to spread at a funeral is classic Kiwi: sausage rolls, club sandwiches, sweet slices, and the mighty pavlova. It’s about comfort, familiarity, and making sure Nana’s favourite cake gets one last outing.

________________________________________

Sweden & Poland: Pickled Herring and Hearty Goodbyes

In Sweden or Poland, funerals come with a side of pickled fish, rye bread, and hot soup. It’s all about hearty meals to fuel long chats and memories shared between bites.

________________________________________

Jamaica: Curry Goat and Celebration

Funerals here can go for days—and the food is just as vibrant as the music and dancing. Think jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas. It’s a full-on celebration of life.

________________________________________

USA: “Funeral Potatoes” Are Actually a Thing

Yes, that’s a real name. In parts of the US, a creamy potato casserole is standard funeral fare. It's comfort food that sticks to your ribs—and makes you feel a bit better, somehow.

________________________________________

Okay, But Why Are We Talking About Food?

Because funerals aren’t just about sadness—they’re about stories, shared memories… and food is a huge part of that. But guess what else? They’re not cheap.

The average funeral in NZ costs $10,000 to $15,000. Yikes. That’s a whole lot of pavs.

________________________________________

So… What Can You Do?

You could start a funeral-savings jar (next to your coffee fund?). OR, you could get funeral insurance—super simple, totally affordable, and it means your loved ones won’t be stuck covering costs while also mourning.

With Dollar Insurance, we help you cover the serious stuff, so people can focus on the sausage rolls and swapping stories. What’s more? It can cost as little as $1 a day. 

________________________________________

Wrap Up (With a Serviette, Obviously)

Whether you want a traditional ceremony or a full-on potluck party with your playlist on loud, your send-off should be yours. And your family? They should just be able to show up, eat cake, and celebrate you.

Get funeral cover sorted with Dollar Insurance.

Why? Because it’s a fully online process of securing funeral cover, and at $1 a day, there is really no excuse. 

So sign up today! For peace of mind—and maybe a pav.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure an insurance product is suitable for you.

Any product information is correct at the time this article was published. For current product information, please visit the Dollar Insurance website.