Planning a Celebration of Life: A Gentle Checklist

Nobody plans this week in advance. A memorial reception comes together in days, while the family is carrying everything else. This checklist exists so the food, at least, can be simple.

What actually needs deciding

Only four things, truly. Where people will gather. Roughly how many will come, and a rough number is fine. Whether the gathering wants a meal or a table of comfortable food to stand around. And a time. Everything else, the trays and the setup and the cleanup, is the caterer’s job to carry, not yours.

Food that fits the day

Families most often choose trays: sandwiches, salads, and appetizers that let people eat when they’re ready rather than on a schedule. Trays arrive ready to set down. A hot buffet suits a seated gathering; it carries a 10-person minimum and the crew handles the line quietly. Prices are the same published boards as any other day, with no occasion markup.

If you don’t have a place

The banquet room at the deli holds memorial receptions often. It is private, it has the kitchen attached, and the smaller room starts at $250 for a three-hour block. Some families find it easier to gather somewhere that isn’t layered with memories; some prefer a home. Both are right.

“We recently hosted our friend’s celebration of life reception at this awesome deli. Mike, the owner, was gracious…”

— Keisha E. · Google

On timing and notice

Short notice is understood here, and has been since 1995. Call when you know the day, even if nothing else is settled. The kitchen works around services, travel schedules, and the reality that plans this week change by the hour. The celebration-of-life page explains how these days come together.

One kindness for yourself

Appoint one person who is not immediate family to be the caterer’s contact on the day. It spares you a phone that rings during the service, and it gives a helpful friend a real job. It is the single most useful piece of planning advice we can offer.

Prices reflect the printed menus as of July 2026 and can change; the quote you receive is the number that counts. More guides: all planning guides.