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Funeral Sandwiches Recipe

For many years, funeral receptions were usually held in a family members home, and friends and neighbors would bring food to pitch in. As a result, dishes that were easy to prepare for a large group of people became the norm, and some dishes, like funeral potatoes and funeral sandwiches, kept the “funeral” naming, even when served other places.

What are funeral sandwiches?

Funeral sandwiches are a ham-based sandwich, designed to be prepared in a casserole pan and served hot. Because they can be prepared as a sheet of sandwiches, left in the refrigerator, and then heated up and sliced apart right before serving, they’re easy to prepare in advance for a large group of people.

This recipe creates 12 small sandwiches (serving roughly 6 people), but you can easily multiply it to serve as many people as you wish. If it will be one of many dishes at a funeral reception (or other event), just one per person may be enough.

Although ham is the traditional lunch meat used in a funeral sandwich, this recipe uses both ham and turkey for a fun twist. You can do half and half, layer them together or stick to just one.

Basics:

Serves: 6 people (up to 12 if part of a potluck)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Kitchenware Needed:

• Medium casserole dish
• Saucepan
• Bread knife
• Ladle

Funeral Sandwiches Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 ct) of King's Hawaiian Rolls
• 1/3 lb. ham deli meat
• ⅓ lb. turkey deli meat
• 8 oz. of mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbs. whole grain mustard
• 2 tbs. brown sugar
• Dash of onion powder
• Dash of garlic powder

Funeral Sandwiches Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Use a large bread knife to slice the Hawaiian rolls in half, keeping them connected to one another.
3. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the casserole pan. Create a layer of ham and turkey and then cover the lunch meat with the sliced mozzarella. Place the top half of the rolls on top.
4. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and stir in the Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar, onion powder and garlic powder.
5. Ladle the sauce over the sandwiches, making sure that each one gets thoroughly covered. If time allows, cover the casserole dish and let the sauce marinate for up to 24 hours.
6. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese in the center sandwiches are melted the tops of the rolls are a nice golden brown.
7. Let the sandwiches cool for a few minutes, slice them apart, and serve them warm.

Cold funeral sandwiches

If warm sandwiches aren't what you're looking for, or you'd just like another alternative, here is an idea for similar sandwiches that can be enjoyed by many. You can use many of the same ingredients as the warm funeral sandwiches, or customized to your preferences and liking.

Kitchenware Needed:

Cutting board

Cold Funeral Sandwiches Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 ct) of King's Hawaiian Rolls
• 1/3 lb. turkey deli meat
• 1/4 lb. ham deli meat
• 1 small package of provolone cheese (or favorite cheese, such as cheddar)
• 1 small onion
• 2 small tomatoes
• Pickles
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard

Cold Funeral Sandwiches Preparation Instructions:

1. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half.
2. Slice onion and tomatoes into small slices.
3. Spread each roll with mayonnaise and mustard.
4. Place a slice of turkey meat, ham meat, followed by a slice of cheese, tomato, onion, and pickles.
5. Close the rolls and place them in a container for traveling, serve cool.