Funeral Reception Catering and Sympathy Meals in Halifax
Food for a funeral reception or a hard week in Halifax: Filipino party trays for pickup, catering for larger memorials, sympathy meals by delivery, and how short-notice orders work at Barrios.
Barrios Restaurant & Bar
11/2/20263 min read
Funeral Reception Catering and Sympathy Meals in Halifax
Not every food order is for a celebration. Sometimes it is for a funeral reception, a family keeping watch at the hospital, or a house full of relatives who need feeding. This is a plain guide to funeral reception food and sympathy meals from Barrios Kitchen & Bar, the Filipino restaurant at 1571 Barrington Street in Halifax.
Food is how Filipinos show up
In the Philippines, when someone dies, the family holds a lamay, a wake that often runs for several nights. Relatives, neighbours and friends come to sit with the family, and there is always food and coffee for whoever arrives. Many families then hold nine nights of prayer after the burial, ending with a meal, the pasiyam. In early November, during Undas, families visit the graves of those they have lost.
The idea behind it is simple: when words are hard, feeding people is a way to help. That instinct works the same way here in Halifax.
For a reception: party trays
For a reception at a home, a church hall or a community centre, our party trays are the simplest option. A family size tray serves about 5 and a party size tray about 10. Gentle, familiar choices that suit a reception:
Pancit bihon, $35
Roast beef caldereta, $45
Chicken inasal, $40
Chicken ala king, $40
Spring rolls, $20
Siomai, $50
Steamed rice, $20 for about 10 people
Tray prices are family size (about 5), except the rice, which feeds about 10. Prices shown are from our current party tray menu and may change. If you do not know how many people will come, tell us that, and we can talk through a sensible amount.
How ordering works
Trays normally need 24 to 48 hours' notice. Enter your pickup date and time at checkout.
If you need food sooner, call 902-444-2515 or message us on Facebook or Instagram. We buy ingredients fresh, so short notice depends on the day. We will tell you honestly what we can do.
Trays are pickup only, at 1571 Barrington Street. Pickup runs Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM. We are closed on Mondays.
If nobody can come to collect the food, you can book an Uber courier in the Uber app to pick it up.
Hot dishes are packed to hold their heat for the trip and the first serving. Over a long reception they cool, so ask us about renting chafing dishes, which depends on availability.
Lids and serving utensils are available on request.
For a larger reception of 50 guests or more, with our staff setting up and refilling a buffet at your venue, ask about catering. Catering needs at least one to two weeks' notice, so it suits a memorial planned ahead rather than the first days.
Sympathy meals for a family at home
A grieving family often gets more food than it can eat in the first few days, and very little after that. If you are organizing meals for someone, spread them out over the following weeks.
You can send a meal straight to their door through Uber Eats or DoorDash, Tuesday to Saturday from 12 PM to 8 PM. The apps cover downtown Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville and Clayton Park. Dishes that travel and reheat well include beef caldereta, chicken inasal and pancit bihon.
For a workplace
If your team wants to send something to a colleague's family, a party tray or a delivered meal works well. We can invoice a company.
Quick answers
Can Barrios provide food for a funeral reception?
Yes, with party trays for pickup, or catering for 50 guests or more with one to two weeks' notice.
Can I order trays at short notice?
Call or message us. We buy ingredients fresh, so it depends on the day.
Do you deliver trays?
No. Trays are pickup only, but you can book an Uber courier to collect them.
What food is good to send to a grieving family?
Simple food that reheats well and needs no work: a braise like caldereta, grilled chicken, noodles and rice.