Funeral Sandwiches

My family serves them for all occasions, not just funerals.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Updated February 03, 2025
Laurel Randolph
Funeral Sandwiches on a serving board, one sandwich being pulled by a hand, delicious looking cheese stretch

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

A Southern classic, funeral sandwiches aren’t just for funerals. They’re for every gathering you can think of. The buttery ham and cheese sliders are guaranteed to disappear fast—no one can resist.

In my family, we call these hot sammies. No matter what you call them, they are delicious. Funeral sandwiches are savory with a nice sweetness from the ham, and I love how the exterior gets a little crisp while the inside stays soft and gooey. 

Tips for Making Funeral Sandwiches

  • If your store carries a big 24-ounce pack of Hawaiian-style rolls, use those instead.
  • Swap the fresh onion for 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion.
  • Butter is fully softened when you can easily squish it between your thumb and forefinger. It should have an indentation but not lose its shape. You aren’t looking for melted butter or room-temperature butter, which won’t hold its shape when pressed. 
  • I find it easiest to cut the sandwiches apart with a serrated knife.
  • Adjust the ham to your desired flavor profile. Black Forest ham adds a nice saltiness that helps to counteract the sweetness of the rolls. If you are looking for a sweeter take, use honey ham. 

Simple Tip!

Have leftover ham from a holiday gathering? Slice it thinly and use it in these sandwiches for lunch to feed a crowd!

Funeral Sandwiches piled up on a platter

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Classic Appetizers

Funeral Sandwiches

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 12 servings
Yield 24 sandwiches

This recipe was developed by Melissa Gray

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup) or 2 tablespoons dried minced onion

  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, optional

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 (12-ounce) packages Hawaiian sweet rolls

  • 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham

  • 1 (6-ounce) package Swiss cheese slices

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Make the spread:

    Meanwhile, stir the butter, onion, poppy seeds (if using), mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and salt together in a small bowl until combined; set aside.

  3. Assemble the sandwiches:

    Without separating the rolls, cut the rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottoms of the rolls in an even layer on a large-rimmed baking sheet. Spread half of the butter mixture over the bottom half of the rolls. Place the ham slices in an even layer over the buttered bottom half of the rolls, and place the cheese slices in an even layer over the ham. 

    Place the top half of the rolls, cut side down, over the cheese. Gently spread the remaining half of the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls.

  4. Bake the sandwiches:

    Bake until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes.

    Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
347 Calories
18g Fat
31g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 347
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 80mg 27%
Sodium 745mg 32%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 168mg 13%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 296mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.