Filipinos love food. Because of this admiration and fondness, food has become a crucial aspect of every celebration or gathering. When a soul departs this world, mourning family and friends don’t leave the wake with an empty stomach. Whether it’s a combination of coffee and biscuits or a more elaborate set-up, here are our dos and dont’s of food prepping.
Filipinos love home-cooked meals. We can never tell if this is the reason most families opt to have their beloved one’s wake at their residence instead of a funeral parlor is it because of other practical implications.
When you hold a wake at home, chances are, you’ve allotted a specific space for the viewing and the guests’ area. The always-present monobloc chairs and tables go well with a serving of macaroni soup, pancit, or meals that goes in pair with rice. This food prep is made possible because of the full access to the kitchen and everyone’s helping hands.
Prepping food servings in a funeral parlor can be troublesome. Chapels or rooms can get crowded from the overflowing number of visitors, and it’s not feasible to bring soups or other pasabaw in the area. For this situation, it is best to purchase single-wrapped biscuits, bread, packed drinks or sandwiches and offer them to the guests.
Wakes naturally last until the wee hours of the morning. When family members don’t have the time and energy to prepare freshly-cooked meals, the best option is to provide meals that taste great even when cold. Sandwiches, chips, ensaymada, bread, and other biscuits are your best bet.
A guest’s best partner during a funeral wake is an overload of hot and tasty coffee. This goes beyond the Filipino’s tradition. If you have water dispensers, then great! Guests can use it for a cup of cold water or hot coffee. If not, bottled water comes next. Don’t forget to provide other options aside from coffee such as cocoa sachets, tea or single-packed juices.
Family members are obligated to make their guests feel at home as a way of thanking them in time of mourning. As privileged as it may sound, guests should not forget their etiquettes. For example, it is okay to help yourself with another serving of a scrumptious meal.
Provided that there is more left, but taking more than what you can consume is a disgrace and disrespect to everyone who prepared it. Plus, how about those that have not yet partaken the food?
When you go to a funeral wake, eating should be the last thing on your mind. After all, you don’t go to a funeral wake to eat. There are other appropriate times for that. Extend your heartfelt and sincere condolences to the grieving family and reach out to them in a comforting manner. Funeral wakes aren’t about food. It’s more of the last celebration before bidding adieu towards eternal life.
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