Funeral catering costs per person in South Africa
Updated 10 November 2026
Short answer
Funeral catering in South Africa costs roughly R45 per guest for light refreshments, R90 for a full meal and R150 for a full meal plus after-tears. For 200 guests that is R9,000 to R30,000 before tents (R2,500–R6,500) and chairs (about R15 each).
Cost for common guest numbers
Full meal at R90 per guest, plus chairs at R15:
| 100 guests | About R10,500 |
|---|---|
| 200 guests | About R21,000 |
| 300 guests | About R31,500 |
| 500 guests | About R52,500 |
Ways families save
Holding the service at home, sharing cooking with relatives and choosing light refreshments can halve the bill. Grocery vouchers for the family are a separate cost worth planning for.
Questions people ask
How many guests come to a South African funeral?
It varies widely. Urban services may have 100 guests; rural and traditional funerals regularly see 300 or more. Plan for your family's realistic number.