Funeral Potato Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? ›

Commonly served after LDS funerals, this cheesy potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food. If you've ever encountered Mormon funeral potatoes, you can attest that the salty, crispy, cheesy casserole is one of the most oddly satisfying creations that exists in America — nay, the world.

These ooey-gooey potatoes may be named after funerals, because members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared them at funerals.

It's a cheesy potato casserole native to Midwest culture—something you might bring over to a neighbor in a time of need. That homey, neighborly, homecooked goodness is the whole vibe, and that's why they've aptly named themselves Funeral Potatoes.

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

In many communities, close family members and friends gather at the church after the funeral to share a meal prepared by the women's Relief Society. Ham or turkey is served with potatoes, salad, and rolls, followed by dessert.

Can I attend the funeral if I'm not Mormon? The reason why you might be concerned about this is that non-Mormons aren't allowed inside Mormon temples. In many cases, Mormon funerals are open to everyone, regardless of their faith, since they usually aren't held in temples.

A repast is any gathering of people after a funeral service. Some people called it a reception, which is the term most commonly used. That said, repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial.

While no one is sure where exactly funeral potatoes originated, most sources attribute their spread to the Relief Society, a women's organization within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One responsibility of society members was attending to the needs of the bereaved, including meals.

What is it called when you eat after a funeral? The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.

You Say “Potato”, We say “Tater”: Growing Potatoes in the South – Digging Food.

What do you eat with funeral potatoes? ›

The best side dishes to serve with funeral potatoes are blooming onion, bacon-wrapped asparagus, chicken parmesan, pork ribs, feta pasta, sausage rolls, butter lettuce salad, coconut shrimp, salmon burger, steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, cheesy garlic bread, grilled corn on the cob, pasta salad, apple slaw, and beef ...

Funeral potatoes in Utah and Latter-day Saint culture

Made with inexpensive ingredients, funeral potatoes have persisted both because of their low cost and their iconic taste. While we may never uncover their true origins, this dish has a strong association with Utah.

Where did funeral potatoes come from? If conventional wisdom holds true and the Relief Society invented funeral potatoes, this dish was invented in Utah. It's also possible that funeral potatoes were invented in the Midwest. Until March 2023, funeral potatoes are part of a museum exhibit in Iowa per the Deseret News.

In an interview with NPR, Jacqueline Thursby described how Latter-day Saints had big families and even bigger congregations to feed. The Latter-day Saint life is filled with endless potlucks, giving food to the sick, funerals, weddings, activities and births. Funeral potatoes provided a thrifty solution, she explained.

The service may include prayers and songs. Friends and family may share memories of the deceased—even if they aren't members of the faith. The service may be personalized to reflect the life and beliefs of the loved one being honored. Service leaders often share scripture and church teachings during the service.

Over time, a traditional menu has evolved—ham, potatoes au gratin, green beans, rolls, salad, and dessert. There is nothing in Mormon theology that requires this menu, but it has become the standard funeral luncheon, to the point that au gratin potatoes have been dubbed “funeral potatoes” by people of the region.