Ok it’s a trope in books and movies, but do people actually bring over casseroles when someone is sick or dead? Is it a Midwest thing? I’ve never experienced any casserole gifting, from any position.
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I’m a Midwest boy that has received friendly casseroles when: family had Covid, parent died, children were born, wife had surgery, stayed up too late and gambled away life savings in Ship/Captain/Crew…
I’ve brought food to a widower - wife passed suddenly, they were a wreck. Most of the circle of friends came by with food for a few weeks. Not sure if anyone brought a casserole specifically. 🤔
Quite often, yes- I have seen it done a lot for men. It's still done for women, I just remember there being more "easy" meals- need to be cooked but prepped & salads.
Most often I've seen it done for families with kids- so the kids can eat while parent(s) deals with situation.
Some families in the UK do this. A gesture to help because the people grieving won't necessarily be looking after themselves. I have taken food to a friend for the same reason.
Many years ago work friends sent me a food parcel when I was very ill.
Maybe not casseroles, but have many times brought over food as family often comes into town, and it’s one less thing they have to think about…
Maybe stay a while.
When others have done it for you… you later remember the kindness. Your loss meant something to them.
happened to me in NZ! not sure if that's a helpful data point though, sorry! (casseroles came generally from older generation family/friends, younger more often things like lasagne)
or you get a tray from the deli or a favorite restaurant, or the super-modern version is a seamless or similar gift card. i got a lot of those after my dad passed & it really helped
Yes this is a thing, taught to me by my southern family but I think pretty applies pretty broadly. Sickness, death, sitting shiva. People in stressful times need to be eat. Ergo, make a casserole or something that can be frozen & reheated and drop it by.
My wonderful sister’s mother in law did bring me soup when I was in a car accident once, which she gave me with the absolutely unforgettable phrase “it’s vegetarian except for the chicken.”
Ahh, gotcha. I heard phrases like that for the 18 years I was vegetarian, and it frustrated me to no end. I know they are, in some cases, well meaning, but ugh.
I have definitely brought people lasagnas in time of need, whether that counts as a casserole seems like one of those questions that could break this website
In the south, it's a thing. If someone is gravely ill or there's a death, people will bring food so you don't have to deal with cooking/figuring out what to eat. Though now gift cards to restaurants are pretty common because it's still convenient, but people may have allergies, etc.
Yes. At the church where I work in NC the committee to provide food when someone is ill or when a family member has died is called the casserole committee (you can also provide non-casserole food).
I’ve been the recipient of casseroles (and firewood, vodka, a prayer blanket, etc) during a period of grief and on the giving end, taking turns in a dinner delivery schedule to friends sick or grieving. Seems to be a thing in the PNW.
Not uncommon in smaller towns in the Midwest. Not just casseroles, but soup, salad, desserts. When my uncle passed, my cousin said, "apparently ham is the death meat."
I’m Jewish, and was definitely raised by Jews who feel very strongly about feeding people whenever they’re going through a hard time (including illness and death). Always bring someone food that freezes and reheats well: Casseroles, lasagna, soups/stews, etc.
Not Jewish, but also grew up with a variant of that. It's either something that can store/reheat well, or something small (cakes, cookies, pastries, etc) to fill in gaps from missed meals
I always believe that making some sort of food that can be simply heated up for sustenance when grieving is a great kindness. Don’t ask if they need it or want it. Make it. Bring it over. They are not going to want to cook and may barely even think about eating. But at some point they’ll want food.
A casserole itself, maybe/maybe not, but food in a baking/casserole dish? For sure. (I grew up in SoCal so a lot of enchiladas, for instance.) Basically things that freeze well/reheat at 350° get lumped into the casserole category.
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Most often I've seen it done for families with kids- so the kids can eat while parent(s) deals with situation.
Many years ago work friends sent me a food parcel when I was very ill.
When my mother started chemo, her quilting friends literally filled a freezer with meals
After she died, meals and snacks for the family was dropped off daily (sometimes multiple times)
Same when my father-in-law passed
Different provinces, same drive to care for neighbours
Maybe stay a while.
When others have done it for you… you later remember the kindness. Your loss meant something to them.
Reminds me of The Stepford Wives (the REAL one from 1975) where we meet the first wife bringing over a casserole to Katharine Ross...
Yup, you can just pull the meat out & it'll be fine. 🙄😒 People just don't/refuse to understand. Sigh...
I do ALSO live in Illinois
Ain't no one got time to cook a casserole they ain't gonna eat. But Costco....
Yes, happy to say we have both given and received when a new baby arrives.