Every culture embraces food in times of mourning. The Amish bake raisin pie. Ancient Phrygians made beer and lamb stew. Mormons cook up funeral potatoes.
This casserole-like dish hits all the marks of classic comfort food: shredded or cubed potatoes, cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup, sour cream, butter, and grated cheddar cheese, all topped with a crunchy layer of corn flakes. But that’s just the basic recipe; there are many variations, includingversions with bacon, jalapeños, potato chips, or gruyère.
The dish is particularly popular in the United States’ “Mormon corridor” of Utah, western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, and southern California.While no one is sure where exactly funeral potatoes originated, most sources attribute their spread to the Relief Society, a women’s organization within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One responsibility of society members was attending to the needs of the bereaved, including meals. The long-lasting ingredients of funeral potatoes are almost always inside a Mormon’s pantry—a holdover from the Church’s post-Depression push for maintaining a three-month food supply at all times. So they’re ready to be cooked into a dish at a moment’s notice upon hearing of a community member’s passing.
But funeral potatoes aren’t just for those in mourning. Mormons also serve it at church potlucks and alongside ham for Christmas and Easter. Despite their name, funeral potatoes are a source of pride and pleasure for those who grew up eating them. In fact, when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, it not only honored the world’s greatest athletes; it also honored its treasured dish. Commemorative 2002 Winter Olympics pins proudly featurefuneral potatoes.
FAQs
The long-lasting ingredients of funeral potatoes are almost always inside a Mormon's pantry—a holdover from the Church's post-Depression push for maintaining a three-month food supply at all times. So they're ready to be cooked into a dish at a moment's notice upon hearing of a community member's passing.
Why do they call them funeral potatoes? ›
It is called "funeral" potatoes because it is commonly served as a side dish during traditional after-funeral dinners, but it is also served at potlucks, and other social gatherings, sometimes with different names.
What are funeral potatoes Deseret News? ›
Think of funeral potatoes like an everyman's au gratin or scalloped potatoes. Cheese, cornflakes (or something else carb-filled and crumbly), potatoes, sour cream and condensed soup comprise this delectable dish. It's a casserole dish that can feed a crowd.
What state is known for funeral potatoes? ›
The dish is prominent in the predominantly Mormon-populated areas of Utah and Idaho, and may have originated in that region of the United States. Funeral potatoes may be known by other names, such as potato casserole, and is served at other potluck dinners, such as family and church gatherings.
Can you go to a Mormon funeral if you are not Mormon? ›
Can I Attend the Funeral if I'm not Mormon? The reason why you might be concerned about this is that non-Mormons aren't allowed inside Mormon temples. In many cases, Mormon funerals are open to everyone, regardless of their faith, since they usually aren't held in temples.
Why don t Mormons believe in cremation? ›
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)
Like Catholics, Latter-day Saints have a high regard for the resurrection and believe the body and spirit have an eternal connection. Because of this, Latter-day Saints are advised against cremation unless the local law requires it.
What is the meal after a funeral called? ›
The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.
Are frozen hash browns just shredded potatoes? ›
Commercially the potatoes are steamed and tumbled to get the skin off, then shredded and blanched in water or oil and then (this is key) individually flash frozen in huge freezers by running the potato pieces thru on a conveyor belt. Then bagged and ready for the customer to oven bake or finish fry.
What are hash browns called in America? ›
In the United States, hash browns strictly refer to shredded or riced pan-fried potatoes, while diced and pan-fried potatoes are called country fried potatoes or home fries. Some recipes add diced or chopped onions.
Does the church own Deseret News? ›
The Deseret News is a subsidiary of the Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Deseret News retains and reaffirms its commitment to being a standard-bearer of journalistic integrity and principled reporting.
The Mearcy meal is a lunch offered to mourners after a funeral. Volunteers provide a warm hospitable setting where family and friends can enjoy one another's company and celebrate with fond memories the life of their departed loved one.
Why is it called Deseret News? ›
The newspaper was named the Deseret News after the State of Deseret, which was a provisional territory proposed by settlers but never recognized by the United States. The word “deseret” comes from the word for “honeybee” in The Book of Mormon.
Why do they call funeral potatoes? ›
Why are they called funeral potatoes? Funeral potatoes get their unique name from being a crowd-pleasing casserole served as a side dish at after-funeral luncheons (particularly in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
What state represents potatoes? ›
While most may think of Idaho as the “potato state,” Oregon does, in fact, put the “Ore” in Ore-Ida, producing a large number of potatoes each year. Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 passed Thursday and designated the potato as Oregon's official vegetable.
Is there a religion that worships potatoes? ›
Axomamma (also Acsumamma and Ajomamma) is a goddess of potatoes in Inca mythology. She is one of the daughters of Pachamama, the earth mother. Potatoes forms a vital part of the food supply of the Incan people, and most villages had a particularly odd-shaped potato to worship and to beg for a good harvest.
What is the LDS potato story? ›
In 1947 mission president Cornelius Zappey and other local Church leaders organized a welfare project to address food shortages and to restore goodwill among Church members. The Dutch Saints acquired seed potatoes and planted them in patches of dormant land.
What do Mormons eat at funerals? ›
In many communities, close family members and friends gather at the church after the funeral to share a meal prepared by the women's Relief Society. Ham or turkey is served with potatoes, salad, and rolls, followed by dessert.
What are Mormon foods? ›
Food common to the Mormon regional area is similar to Midwest comfort food, or "country home cooking". Eric Eliason, a folklorist specializing in Mormon traditions, says that Utah scones, funeral potatoes, and green Jell-O are distinctive to Utah.
