Wakes and funeral receptions typically run for two to three hours, with guests moving between seating and a tea or buffet service. The right equipment covers tables, chairs, crockery, urns and chafing dishes. This guide sets out quantities and delivery logistics for guest counts from 40 to 120.
Wakes and funeral receptions typically run for two to three hours, with guests moving between seating and a tea or buffet service. The right equipment covers tables, chairs, crockery, urns and chafing dishes. This guide sets out quantities and delivery logistics for guest counts from 40 to 120.
Round tables work better than trestles for a funeral reception because they seat more people in a compact space and encourage conversation. A 5ft round table seats 8 guests; a 6ft round seats 10. For 60 guests, seven 5ft rounds with 60 banqueting chairs covers the room with a small reserve.
Banqueting chairs stack and carry in sets of ten, which makes setup and breakdown fast. Padded seats with a covered back are the standard choice for this type of event. White chair covers with a sash are available alongside the chairs for a more formal room.
Tea and coffee service forms the backbone of most wakes. Allow one teacup and saucer per guest, with a 20 to 25 percent reserve for guests who want a second cup. A 20-litre urn produces approximately 110 cups from a single fill. For 80 guests, one urn is adequate. For 120 guests, two urns running in parallel removes the queue.
Side plates at 6 to 7 inch handle sandwiches, cake and buffet portions. Dessert forks and teaspoons complete the setting. Order crockery in multiples of 12 to match standard stacking configurations.
Where a hot buffet is served, chafing dishes hold food at serving temperature without a power supply. Each full-size chafing dish holds 6.5 litres and covers 30 to 40 portions of a casserole or stew. Gel fuel canisters burn for two hours, which suits a single service window. For events running all afternoon, wick fuel canisters last up to six hours.
A hot cupboard provides reliable temperature-holding for carved meats or large volumes of food. A standard 4-shelf electric hot cupboard holds eight to twelve gastronorm trays and runs on a 13A socket for smaller units. Confirm power availability at the venue before ordering.
Add 20 percent to all crockery quantities as a working reserve.
Morning delivery between 8am and 10am allows time for setup before a reception that starts at midday or early afternoon. Confirm with the venue that loading bay or front door access is available at that time. Stairs slow delivery; flag them when you book so the driver can bring extra help or a sack truck.
A quiet, efficient setup matters at this type of event. Most drivers arrive, unload and position furniture without disruption. If the reception follows a service at the same venue, request an evening-before delivery to allow setup in advance.
Standard items — chairs, round tables, urns and basic crockery — are often available at a few days' notice. Specialist items such as chair covers or large quantities of matching crockery may need a week or more. Phone the depot for short-notice requests rather than using the online form; the team can confirm availability faster by phone.
Collection typically happens the morning after the event. Crockery should be scraped clean before return; full washing is not required.
For a full quote on funeral reception hire, including tables, chairs and crockery, or to browse the full catering equipment range, contact your local Expo Hire depot. Most depots confirm availability and price within the hour.
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