Strange American Delicacies: What Are Funeral Potatoes?

Funerals are some of the saddest occasions in the world and have a common series of associations, among them lilies and mourners in black.

But in the American South and the American West, an unlikely food should be added to that list: funeral potatoes.

Just what are funeral potatoes? All recipes use potatoes as a base, and many include cheese, a creamy soup, onions, butter, and a topping of either potato chips or corn flakes. For the more carnivorously inclined, there are also versions that include ham or other meats.

As their name suggests, funeral potatoes are served at funerals throughout the South and the West. The reason they are commonly associated with this most somber of occasions is that they are easy to prepare, easy to transport and divvy up well to serve a crowd.

One of the best things about funeral potatoes is how easy they are to make and how much they will be appreciated. You only need a few simple ingredients and an oven to make this dish. The quintessential blogger of the American West, The Pioneer Woman, has a great funeral potatoes recipe you can try. Her version even includes frozen hash browns as a base, which will make the dish even easier for you to whip up than it already is.

Some versions of the dish call for hash browns as a base

But as simple as they may be, funeral potatoes are also delicious (just consider that list of ingredients). So, even though you may not have had to spend long hours toiling away in the kitchen to make this comfort food, it will be every bit as appreciated as if you had.

And all that extra time that you won’t have to spend in the kitchen cooking up the perfect batch of funeral potatoes means that you will have more time to spend where it matters—comforting the friends and family of the person who has passed away, and celebrating their lives.

Like lilies, a specific potato dish is commonly associated with funerals

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.