"Charlotte L. Blackmer" wrote:

> >Is that not still catered? I remember when it was customary for people going
> >to a funeral to take a plate of sandwiches, a casserole, some cookies, cake or
> >something to a funeral. My wife's church caters funerals all the time. The
> >women's group charges a set amount per person depending on whether they are
> >having just tea and coffee or if it will include sandwiches, cookies and
> >veggie plates etc.
>
> Well, having the church ladies charge a (very small) fee to provide
> coffee, cookies, and sandwiches is just barely within the realm of
> "catering", but like some others around here, I don't think of it when I
> think of the word "catered/caterer" because like many in the US, I think
> of a caterer as someone whose profession it is to provide food for money.
> The church ladies aren't making their living doing this (at the prices you
> mentioned they're lucky to cover expenses).

I never thought of the term "catered" as being determined by the amount of money
that changes hands, only that some did. I would suggest that it is still catered,
though perhaps catered cheaply. The church ladies generally make no money at all on
the deal, at least not in the churches around here. The church ladies go out and
buy the bread, butter, sandwich fillings, baking supplies etc. and then make the
items at home. They take them to the church hall, set them out, make coffee and
tea, serve the food and clean up. Someone pays the church or the organization.
The women do not even get reimbursed for their expenses.


That is why I suggested that there is an element of abuse in these arrangements.
It is certainly nice that they are community minded and realize the value of
chipping in when members of their (church) community are in need. I, for one, am
grateful that there are people like that around. However, I think that perhaps they
are being taken advantage of when the same arrangements are available to outsiders.




>
>
> ("Catering" has a more general meaning in the UK, at least it did when I
> lived there.)
>
> The idea of a professionally catered funeral (not just, say, going to
> the deli and picking up a tray to take back to the lunch venue) makes me
> blink, as funerals tend to be arranged with a lot shorter notice than
> weddings, anniversaries, etc.
>
> The idea of a professionally catered Jewish funeral makes me really
> boggle, as my understanding was that the services needed to be held
> very shortly after the actual death. That's not a lot of notice to call
> someone up, book them, and get the food produced!
>
> Charlotte
> --