The Comfort Food Named for Funerals

Funeral potatoes are a beloved cheesy casserole served at after-funeral gatherings in the American West. Despite the morbid name, this indulgent dish of potatoes and cream is a common staple at happy potlucks and holiday parties too.

This dish gets its somber nickname because it is the classic comfort food brought by church groups to feed grieving families after a funeral service. It usually features hash browns, cream soup, cheese, and a crunchy topping like crushed cornflakes. People often joke that the name is the only dark part of an otherwise incredibly cheerful meal. It has become such a cultural icon that it is essentially a mandatory guest at any large community gathering in the region.