I know some may find this a bit morbid and I apologize in advance but I need some local help.
My 93 y/o aunt is currently receiving hospice care. Even though her passing won’t be a surprise I would like to high-level plans in place for a post-funeral luncheon. She lives in Newton and the funeral will be in Sharon so we are hoping to find a venue in either of those locations. She will have a pretty traditional Jewish funeral which means we will have 48-72 hours to make the arrangements. I anticipate about 50 people will be in attendance. Kosher is not required, nor even desired.
Neither the funeral home nor the cemetery have rooms available to use. We are open to either a full service location or a room rental and separate caterer though I prefer the former rather than the latter for logistical reasons.
Very sorry for you having to have to deal with this, but pre-planning is a very good idea.
You don’t say the numbers you’re expecting to need to accommodate, but when my mother passed on Nov. 25th, 2019, i arranged a Celebration of Life (for family members only) at Union Straw, a restaurant opposite her assisted living facility in Foxboro. It’s the next town over from Sharon, a short drive from Sharon, and might be able to accommodate in their back room on very short notice, depending on your numbers.
Mom’s Celebration of Life was planned late in the first week of December, as we were waiting on when a stepbrother could fly in from England. So we had a longer time frame than you. But can’t hurt to call them and give them the info and noting you’ll be in constant touch with them.
The staff was exemplary in handling our large extended family. We were a bit loud and boisterous (mostly Irish), but the waitstaff and kitchen staff managed it like pros.
Good luck with the planning, and my pre-sympathies to you and your family and friends.
Thank you. The short time frame from when we know when the luncheon would need to be held to the actual event is tight. I’ve been a caterer and I would want nothing to do with such a situation.
Thank you. My knowledge of MA geography is limited so I appreciate the landmarks. We are thinking there will be about 50 people so it looks like the private room will be too small and unless we luck out and the funeral is M-W the main dining room will be in use. Their menu does look really nice though.
Yeah, wouldn’t fit 50. We had 25ish, with some tables in the back of the room and a buffet table of mistly apps along the side that they continually refreshed, and 2 waitstaff getting drinks. So some standing room with some seating as well as sesting right outside the private room that they left open for us, but not enough for 50.
Just had a thought…maybe check with the temples in Sharon. I’m sure they’ve dealt with situations like this before and can hopefully give some recommendations that can accommodate.
Not in Sharon or Newton, but Northern Spy in neighboring town (to Sharon) Canton has nice food, hosts private events, and has easy parking/serene environment. The grounds have historical interest, which might be a welcome distraction for the attendees.
We’ve had good meals there but haven’t been since…well, without looking at my previous posts, a long while, but post-Covid. I’ve been to Union Straw and although Northern Spy is casual, it’s a tiny bit more upscale than Union Straw.
One other consideration…if the funeral occurs on a Sunday when the Pats have a home game, you don’t want to be anywhere near Sharon-Canton-Foxboro. Traffic will be nutz.
ETA: Looked up my old posts. Last time we went was in 2022.
My sister is a member of a temple in Belmont, which my aunt would often attend with her, I think that will be our backup plan. We already have a funeral home selected and they did not really come up with anything. I’ll take a look at places in Sharon. Thanks
I don’t think anyone thought of this. Unfortunately, Sunday would be the"best" day to give people time to travel without having to take too much time off. My aunt would probably love it if there was a game - she is a HUGE patriots fan. The only team she likes better are the Celtics.
Wishing your aunt a peaceful time in her waning days. Keep consulting us, please. Let’s give her the sendoff that she deserves!
ETA: You probably already know, but you might have better luck with restaurants in Newton. The Sharon area tends to be a bit of a wasteland in terms of good food.
Thank you! My aunt’s favorite restaurant is in Newton. I sent them an email but haven’t heard back yet. But I’ll keep the lack of “food” in Sharon in mind.
Watertown is one town over from Newton. It might be worth contacting Branch Line (branchlinearsenal.com), though the time frame might be too tricky for them.
A grocery deli or Costco could probably have food ready for pickup within that timeframe. Does the area perhaps have a community center/Senior Center with rental rooms?
Thank you for the suggestions. Branch Line looks interesting but they require a minimum of 3 days notice which may not work for us. I love the menu of Taste of Moldava but I don’t think it will go over well the rest of the crowd.
I have the name of a deli in Newton my aunt liked and would use them if we go with a room and outside food. I would prefer to have an all-inclusive restaurant setting so as to not have to deal with setting up, serving and cleaning while handling the details of the funeral.
It’s hard to tell from websites and individual tastes, but both had theoretical room for capacity at lunchtime, so I figured it was worth trying. Another possibility would be Sichuan Gourmet House in Newton Highlands. I stop by relatively frequently on Thursdays for lunch (other spots include Mulan in Waltham, which probably gets too busy to add +50 people; also Dumpling House, which I think is too small), but SGH might be able (I didn’t count seats) to accommodate you. It might possibly be worth stopping by and talking in person. Many dishes might be too spicy (not typical Americanized cuisine), so crowd may frown upon. Another entirely different route if non-kosher could be Joyful Garden in Watertown for dim sum and other–definitely capacity and possibly crowd-pleasing.
I used to go to Bakers Best all the time for catering lunches and receptions. Good, reliable, excellent in food and presentation. I’m not sure if they have facilities, we used to pick or and they also deliver. They are in Newtonville.
