• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
STOCKPILING MOMS™
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Freezer Meal Plans
    • Menu Planning
  • Travel
    • Travel Reviews
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
    • Kentucky
  • Life
    • Back to School
    • DIY
    • Frugal Living Tips
    • Gluten Free Tips
    • Healthy Lifestyle
    • House
    • Life and Parenting
    • Pets
    • Stockpiling 101
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Elf on the Shelf
    • Valentines Day
    • St Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • Lent
    • July 4th
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Party Planning
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Life
  • Holiday
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Life
    • Holiday
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Funeral Rolls

    Published: Jan 30, 2014 · Modified: Aug 17, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links

    98.2K shares
    • 4.4K
    • 1
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Funeral Rolls taste AMAZING! They are an easy appetizer recipe to make and let me tell you they are nothing to mourn about. I was first introduced to these delicious Funeral Sandwiches many years ago when I taught at North Laurel High in London, KY. My co-worker made these for a teachers meeting and everyone gobbled them up!  She told me they are called Funeral Rolls because they were prepared for funeral “layouts” traditionally in the South.

    Funeral Rolls

    If you have ever been to a layout in the south you know that there is always delicious food at the meal. They are so easy to make and what I love is that can prepare them in advance and then bake them when you are ready. I made these for my family this year at Christmas and they loved them! They would make a fabulous appetizer for game day too!

    Funeral Rolls are simply the best sandwich and so easy to make. My husband loves this appetizer!

    We prefer our Funeral Rolls to be made with Kings Hawaiian Rolls.  Simply cut each roll in half, lengthwise and place bottom halves on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Then layer bottom of the rolls with the ham sand cheese slices and place the top half of the rolls back on.

    In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar and onion powder. Pour mixture over the tops of the sandwiches. Cover and marinade anywhere from 4-24 hours. Overnight works best!  This is why I love this recipe because you make them in advance and pull them out to bake later.

    Funeral Rolls are simply the best sandwich and so easy to make. My husband loves this appetizer!

    Trust me on this, once you try Funeral Rolls you will never look back.  This is the most requested recipe that I make from friends and family.  It is certainly nothing to mourn about. It is my hubby's favorite appetizer.

    Funeral Rolls

    Funeral Rolls are nothing to mourn about. They are a delicious prep ahead sandwich that everyone loves. An easy appetizer to make for any party or tailgate.
    4.77 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Party
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 684kcal
    Author: Melissa Jennings
    Cost: $8

    Ingredients

    • 1 package King’s Hawaiian Rolls (or other brand of choice) - We prefer this brand - (12 ct).
    • 1 package Ham, sliced thin (1 lb)
    • 1 package Swiss or Provolone Cheese
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoon prepared mustard
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 bottle optional - poppy seeds

    Instructions

    • Cut rolls in half, lengthwise and place bottom halves on the bottom of a baking pan. I like to use a bread knife and cut the entire package at one time.
    • Place your ham and then cheese on top of the bottom half of the rolls.
    • Add the tops to cover the ham and cheese.
    • In a small mixing bowl, Mix together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar and onion powder. Pour sauce over sandwiches. Cover and marinade for 4-24 hours. I personally do mine overnight.
    • When ready to bake preheat oven to 350°.
    • Optional - sprinkle poppy seeds over the top and bake for 15 minutes uncovered or until your cheese is melted and buns are golden.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2g | Calories: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 1284mg | Potassium: 365mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 2.9mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SPMoms or tag #SPMOMS!

    Funeral Rolls are simply the best sandwich and so easy to make. My husband loves this appetizer!

    Appetizer Recipes:

    Salami Rolls (Gluten Free)

    Bacon Cheddar Cheese Pull Aparts

    Skyline Dip

    Artichoke Dip

    Garlic Lemon Wings

    Hot and Spicy Chicken Tenders

    Jalapeno Popper Dip (Low Fat ~ Weight Watchers)

    Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

    Melissa Jennings

    Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 22 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

    « Fellowes Air Purifier
    Super Bowl Game Party Recipes and Ideas »
    98.2K shares
    • 4.4K
    • 1

    Check out these favorites!

    • Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    • 15 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 90 minutes
    • 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours
    • Crockpot Ranch Chicken
    • How To Do Weight Watchers For Free
    • Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Bread

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy H.

      January 30, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      These are good. At our mom's group one of the ladies made these...yummy

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        December 06, 2014 at 6:53 pm

        Thanks! We love funeral rolls!

        Reply
        • Kathy H.

          December 31, 2014 at 5:51 pm

          5 stars
          So funny...I forgot all about these until the beginning of the month and was looking for the recipe since I had no idea what they were called...YA printing and I already had them pinned, du!!!!

          Reply
      • kathy b

        March 23, 2016 at 7:29 am

        3 stars
        thats funny because the brand kings hawaiian hada recipie on their page but it wasnt called funeral rolls

        Reply
    2. Su

      January 31, 2014 at 4:45 am

      These look great. Why do they call them funeral rolls? thx

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 31, 2014 at 11:09 am

        Because they were prepared for funeral “layouts” traditionally in the South.

        Reply
    3. Donna M Gain

      January 31, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Why are these rolls called
      "Funeral Rolls"?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 31, 2014 at 9:35 am

        Because they were prepared for funeral "layouts" traditionally in the South.

        Reply
    4. KaSonia

      March 30, 2014 at 2:20 am

      4 stars
      Tried this half Kaiser rolls other half Hawaiian rolls, half turkey/cheddar and other half ham/provolone, and no marinade and they came out great, I also have some in fridge to marinate to see which way is best.. yum yum thanks

      Reply
    5. Beth@That One Mom

      April 02, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      I've been looking for this recipe. I remembered that they were called Funeral Rolls, but not what goes in them! When I got to the recipe and saw North Laurel High School, I decided I had better save it and show it to my husband...he was in the first graduating class at North!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 06, 2014 at 5:26 pm

        Too funny~ I taught there 1 year, 1995-1996.

        Reply
    6. Kim T

      October 14, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      For a nice make ahead then freeze option, hand shredded meat and cheese, pour the sauce over the meat and cheese, mix all in a bowl put spoonful in each roll that is pre sliced, then wrap each sandwich or several in a foil packet. You can grab a few at a time and put in the oven as guests arrive. Taste heavenly!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        December 06, 2014 at 6:52 pm

        Thanks for the freezer option for funeral rolls!

        Reply
    7. Joni Turner

      December 11, 2014 at 9:51 am

      I make these but with mustard instead of brown sugar, and onion flakes instead of powder. Lol we call them blue Moon rolls. That's how often I make than, just bc I will make a ton and only get 1 🙁

      Reply
      • Debi Philibin

        March 28, 2022 at 12:49 pm

        Any tips for the bottoms not to get too browned?

        Reply
        • Melissa Jennings

          March 28, 2022 at 1:49 pm

          Did you place foil and grease?

          Reply
    8. Franceaz

      December 17, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      I want to make these for a potluck at work. Any suggestions on how I could keep them warm/reheat - since I will bake them before leaving for work? There would be almost 4 hours before being served at the potluck. Thank you in advance!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        December 18, 2014 at 11:17 am

        They are also great reheated - do you have access to an over or a microwave? could you put them in a crockpot with foil to keep warm on low - just thinking out loud here.

        Reply
    9. Tammie

      January 04, 2015 at 2:30 pm

      Do you eat these warm or can they be cool or at room temp? My boys are heading out on a road trip and I was thinking about making these for them and wrapping in foil.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 05, 2015 at 10:42 am

        I have done both! They are AMAZING!

        Reply
    10. Nicole

      January 04, 2015 at 2:40 pm

      Is the mustard dry mustard? Like the seasoning? Or yellow mustard that you would put on a sandwich?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 05, 2015 at 10:42 am

        Yellow Mustard - I have even used Dijon before 🙂

        Reply
    11. Danae

      January 11, 2015 at 10:22 pm

      5 stars
      My husband is extremely picky and does not normally eat ham. I made these last week and everyone loved them! My husband requested I make them again this week! They are AMAZING!!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 12, 2015 at 10:05 pm

        Thanks!!!

        Reply
    12. Maralea

      January 23, 2015 at 5:28 pm

      We have made these many times. Super good!

      Reply
    13. Patricialynn

      January 28, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      These do look good...but the name. Lol!

      Reply
      • Kas

        August 08, 2021 at 8:27 pm

        I was just about to make this but realized I don’t have worcestshire sauce! Do you have any substitutions or would it taste ok without it? 🙁

        Reply
        • Melissa Jennings

          August 14, 2021 at 3:07 pm

          Balsamic Vinegar, Soy Sauce and little sugar or a thin BBQ sauce.

          Reply
    14. Will Schmelzle

      March 24, 2015 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      Soooo good! Ironically, a friend made these for my father-in-law's funeral dinner. We actually crave them. Highly recommended! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    15. connie robinson

      March 28, 2015 at 7:07 am

      I make the funeral sandwiches but they came out soggy why I baked them about 30 minutes and I pour off a lot or the butter sauce. Can y o u help me

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 28, 2015 at 11:10 am

        Do you follow this recipe exactly?

        Reply
      • Jc

        February 03, 2019 at 4:51 pm

        You need to bake uncovered for at least 5 mins until lightly browned.

        Reply
    16. Christine

      March 29, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      What keeps the bread from becoming a soggy mess? I have a husband who is very concerned about that, but I'd like to try these for Easter lunch.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 29, 2015 at 3:02 pm

        They aren't soggy - they are delicious. My husband LOVES these. They would be perfect for Easter! Plus you can make them in advance and then just bake that day.

        Reply
    17. kim Downey

      May 09, 2015 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love these I used honey turkey instead of ham and they were awesome!!!

      Reply
    18. Nancy

      July 11, 2015 at 4:13 am

      I assume you put them in the fridge to marinade?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        July 16, 2015 at 3:04 pm

        Yes for sure!

        Reply
    19. Mary Huml

      September 28, 2015 at 12:38 pm

      These "funeral rolls" have been long standing Super Bowl food...... Delicious at any event!!

      Reply
    20. Carol

      November 29, 2015 at 7:18 pm

      We make sandwiches like this and ours are called Tailgating sandwiches. Kinda like that better than funeral rolls.

      Reply
    21. Rose

      January 31, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      I want to make these for a card party what can I serve with them?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 31, 2016 at 8:29 pm

        Hashbrown Casserole would be a great choice - https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2013/10/crockpot-hashbrown-casserole/

        Reply
    22. Denise

      February 09, 2016 at 11:46 am

      They sound yummy, can't wait to make them... Can you freeze them after they are baked??? If so, how would you freeze them???

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        February 09, 2016 at 11:56 am

        I have never tried because there are never any left 🙂 You could freeze before baking I would think for best results?

        Reply
    23. Suzan Greenberg

      June 08, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      I've been wanting to try these for Book Club, but I like to try out a recipe first. I had a Groupon for Sam's Club which included 2 dozen dinner rolls for free and $10 off a ham. It is just hubby and Me, so since we had all these ingredients, it was the perfect time to try this recipe out. They were delicious! We both loved them. I made mostly ham and Swiss cheese since we had so much of that, but I also had some honey turkey from the deli and a good Brie left over from company. So 4 of them I made with the turkey and Brie and added a slice of already cooked bacon I had in the house. Those were were even more delicious than the ham ones, and even though my hubby is a ham fan, he thought the turkey were the best too. I made these the night before and cookHappy Tuesday!e them exactly 15 minutes. We also had them again the next night and I cooked them the same amount of time. They were still delicious. I was not crazy about the rolls I used and know Hawaiian would be better as recipe states. Also, my rolls had a very rounded top so the sauce I poured on rolled right off so most was in the bottom. Nevertheless, they weren't soggy, but were wet on the bottom which I thought was fine. It wasn't mushy, and the roll stayed together even with a wet bottom. However, I really want to try these with pretzel buns, the miniature ones (sliders). Because they are firmer than Hawaiian rolls, I may try pouring the sauce on them, then the next morning flipping them over so the top soaks in the sauce and them back to original way before popping them in the oven. This recipe is a keeper! So good. PS I used Honey Dijon mustard.

      Reply
    24. Tina

      September 17, 2016 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      I've made these for a tailgate today. I wanted to make them last night to marinate but ran out of time. I also only had enough ham for 1pan. So the 2nd one was roasted turkey. Then, I remembered that I had some pulled BBQ beef in the freezer. I added Swiss cheese to the ham, sharp Cheddar's to the turkey, and sprinkled the BBQ with shredded cheddar. I thought the Worcestershire sauce would taste too good with the beef, so, I melted some butter, added some onion and some garlic powder plus a little parsley. They're marinating now, ready to bake in a few hours. I'll let you know how they go over with the crowd. They have to be heated on the grill when we reach the game, so this should be interesting. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    25. Debbie Waite

      January 25, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      I have two different kinds of Hawaiian rolls at my local grocery store, one is like a dinner roll, the other a bun like a slider. which one would be best? I am having a jewelry party this weekend and plan on making them for the first time. I'm a little nervous about making something new for a gathering. I can't believe the rolls won't be soggy, especially if you marinade them overnight. I don't think I will do that. I will make them ahead but possibly not put the sauce on until a few hours ahead. I hope they turn out!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 26, 2017 at 12:56 pm

        You use the bun that looks like a slider 🙂 I would suggest marinading them in the morning if you are concerned. They are YUMMY!

        Reply
    26. Crystal

      April 17, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      I'm making these for a ladies meeting Thursday.... I am a lil concerned now after reading the comments of being soggy mushy??
      Also is it deli ham? TIA

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        April 19, 2017 at 5:19 pm

        You will LOVE this! Wrap them in foil and they will be great!

        Reply
    27. Katy

      May 26, 2017 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      I have a batch of these currently in the fridge, waiting for baking tomorrow, and the glaze is so good, I had to kick my kid out of the kitchen since he was literally trying to drink the stuff. Can't wait until the guests try them!

      Reply
    28. Teri

      April 03, 2018 at 7:59 pm

      5 stars
      I made these tonight and they were FABULOUS! I used an 8x8 square pan and sweet dinner rolls (a bit larger than King's Hawaiian) so I was able to fit 9 in the pan. I used a bit less on all the marinade ingredients since I was using a smaller amount and it came out perfectly! Hubby gave them two thumbs up and said I could add them into the dinner rotation! Thanks, Melissa! 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        April 04, 2018 at 5:05 pm

        So glad you liked it! This is one of our favorite recipes 🙂

        Reply
    29. Robin

      November 21, 2018 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      What an incredibly small world. I am in Somerset, KY!

      Reply
    30. Kelly

      February 20, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      Love these! I use stone ground mustard. I never remember to marinate them so I place a teaspoon of the sauce on the bottom bun. Add the ham and cheese and put another teaspoon on the top bun. Then I drizzle the remaining sauce on top. Bake and enjoy.

      Reply
    31. Shar

      March 16, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      Can I use other types of cheese? The store was out of provolone & swiss.

      Reply
      • Shelley King

        March 17, 2020 at 2:26 pm

        You can use whatever cheese you would like! Thank you for taking the time to stop by!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Melissa Jennings, Owner & Shelly King, Owner

    Hey Y'all!

    Melissa Jennings and Shelley King are the bloggers behind Stockpiling Moms®. Since 2009, they have been sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

    Learn more about us →

    Trending

    • Loaded Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
    • Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler
    • 2 Ingredient Crockpot Pork Chops
    • How to Season your Beef for Spaghetti

    Footer

    Join Us!

    Get all of the recipes & more delivered to your inbox Sign Up Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | RECIPE INDEX | ADVERTISE |

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 Stockpiling Moms
    DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY - TERMS OF SERVICE