What would you like to serve after your own funeral?
The question may feel unusual, but according to a new survey from Kantar Sifo, conducted on behalf of Fonus, 43 percent of Swedes have at some point thought about what should be served at their own funeral or memorial gathering.
And when Swedes get to choose themselves, it’s still a classic that stands strongest:
The traditional Swedish sandwich cake, known as smörgåstårta, remains the most popular choice
Smörgåstårtan is the first choice
In the survey, 17 percent say they would most like guests to be served smörgåstårta after the funeral.
Next come several more personal options. Four percent choose a favorite dish from childhood, a gourmet meal at a restaurant, or a special baked item or dessert. Others prefer a simple homemade meal, while a smaller group would gladly have guests gather, for example, around tacos, grilled food, or a seafood platter.
Pizza, hamburgers, pasta, Asian food and kebab also appear among the responses.
For funeral home representative Conny Sohlberg at Fonus, the results are not particularly surprising.
– Smörgåstårtan has become something of a symbol for the memorial gathering. At the same time, I see that more people want to make personal choices, just like with music, flowers and other parts of the funeral, he says in a press release.
A tradition that lives on
Gathering for food and drink after a funeral has long traditions in Sweden. Historically, there were so-called “grave dinners” (gravöl), when family, friends and neighbors would gather after the funeral to eat, drink and remember the deceased.
Today’s memorial gatherings may look different, but they often serve the same purpose. After the ceremony, family and friends get the chance to come together, talk and share memories.
Fact: What Swedes want to serve at their own funeral
Alternative | Share |
|---|---|
Smörgåstårta | 17 % |
Favorite dish from childhood | 4 % |
Gourmet meal at a restaurant | 4 % |
Dessert or baked treat | 4 % |
Simple homemade meal | 3 % |
Seafood platter | 2 % |
Grilled food | 2 % |
Tacos | 2 % |
Other options mentioned by 1 percent each were pizza, hamburgers, pasta, Asian food, as well as kebab, gyros or falafel.
About the survey
The survey was conducted by Kantar Sifo on behalf of Fonus between 25 January and 6 February 2024. A total of 4,512 people aged 18–79 participated.