Offsite catering cost - for 40 people, offsite (memorial service)?

Question

I am planning my grandmothers memorial service/family gathering, and need to find a caterer to prepare/serve/help clean up at my parents house. it is too stressful on my mom to do it herself (or even to have us do it), so I want to hire it out.

We are thinking just basic lunch items, snacks, a little cake or something.

How much might that cost? I have no idea what the range is for the food plus a person's help.

Thanks!

Answer 1

In my area I would plan on a minimum of ten dollars per person plus a gratutity for service, of about twenty percent. I would say you should plan in the range of six to seven hundred dollars for a very simple menu that is going to be fully catered and attended to by the caterer.

Answer 2

i charge a minimum of 10 per person and go up from there. that is just for the food and service not the plates or silverware since i rent that.