This recipe’s name may be unusual, but don’t let that keep you from trying it. Funeral Potatoes actually originate in Utah’s Mormon community and are often served as part of a family meal following a funeral service. One bite, and you’ll understand why folks keep coming back for seconds of this creamy, cheesy potato casserole that has long outgrown its original purpose.
Across the rural South, in times past, it was customary to arrive at someone’s door with a covered dish when the family was grieving. You didn’t ask if they needed anything. You just came, usually with a casserole, pound cake, or a plate of fried chicken that would stretch to feed a crowd.
I grew up seeing that kind of neighborly care unfold again and again. Growing up in a small Georgia town, I can remember the steady flow of neighbors who would quietly slip through the back door in the hours following the passing of a loved one, placing their dish on the table without needing to be acknowledged. It was simply what people did. You cooked. You cared. You showed up.
While this dish is often called Funeral Potatoes and has deep ties to Utah and the traditions of the Mormon community, its spirit also fits squarely into our Southern customs, too. It’s comforting and hearty, and it’s meant to say, “You’re not alone.”
Even though the practice of bringing food to mourning families’ homes has been mostly replaced by a family meal following the service, in some corners of the rural South, the old way survives. You see it in the casseroles and pound cakes that appear at a back door before the obituary is even printed.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven
Total Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 10
Primary Ingredient(s): Potatoes, Cheese, Sour Cream, Ritz Crackers
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s creamy and cheesy, with sharp cheddar and sour cream.
- Family-sized casserole that serves 8–10.
- No-fuss pantry staples and frozen hash browns keep it simple.
- Endlessly adaptable! You can add ham or chicken for a heartier dish.
Ingredient Notes
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- Frozen diced hash browns – These cubed potatoes are so convenient! You can also use frozen shredded hash browns, but the casserole will have a slightly different texture.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded melts much more smoothly and tastes better!
- Cream of chicken soup – A classic casserole ingredient that stands in for a handmade bechamel. May be substituted with either cream of mushroom or cream of celery.
- Sour cream – Swap half for softened cream cheese for an extra-rich flavor.
- Ritz crackers – For the signature, buttery crunch on top.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
This classic recipe for homemade funeral potatoes will be in your regular recipe rotation for years to come. Make sure to save it or print it out. Everyone who tastes it will want a copy!
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1/2 cup finely chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, add the thawed diced hash browns, shredded sharp cheddar, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, sauteed onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well to combine.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top.
- In a small bowl, toss the crushed Ritz crackers with 1/4 cup of melted butter combined. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. If it’s browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
- Let it stand 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Success Tips
- Thaw the hash browns completely. If the potatoes are still partially frozen, the casserole will take longer to bake and may turn out watery in spots. I usually transfer the bag to the fridge the night before or let it sit at room temperature for about an hour.
- Use sharp cheddar for flavor. I find that a milder cheese doesn’t quite hold its own here. Go with sharp or even extra sharp cheddar so the cheesy flavor doesn’t get lost in all the creaminess.
- Don’t skip the cracker topping. The crushed Ritz crackers add a buttery crunch that balances the creamy texture underneath. It’s part of what makes this dish so satisfying.
- Let it rest before serving. Once it’s out of the oven, give it a while to settle. This helps the casserole firm up just enough for easy serving.
Recipe Variations to Try
- Swap half the sour cream for softened cream cheese.
- Fold in cooked diced ham, bacon, or shredded chicken before baking.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or some diced jalapeños to the filling for a kick.
- Try cornflakes for the topping instead of Ritz.
How to Serve
Serve these potatoes with any meaty main dish. We always enjoy them with Marinated Pork Loin, Southern Fried Chicken, or Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs.
Storing Leftovers
- Make ahead (unbaked): Assemble without the cracker topping, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Add topping just before baking; you may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Leftovers: Cover and refrigerate for 3–4 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze baked or unbaked (without topping) up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add topping if needed, and bake until hot and bubbly.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven until heated through for the best texture.
More Potato Recipes You’ll Like
Perfect Potatoes au Gratin
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Ham and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes
Questions About Funeral Potatoes
Yes. Peel and dice the potatoes evenly, then parboil or steam them until just tender (not mushy) before mixing them with the other ingredients, so they retain their shape during baking.
For vegetarians, substitute cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup and use veggie-friendly products. For a gluten-free option, top with gluten-free crackers or cornflakes and double-check that your condensed soup and seasonings are certified gluten-free.
Absolutely. Assemble without the topping and refrigerate overnight, then add the topping before baking. Leftovers freeze well up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Recipe
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Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter melted (plus 1 tablespoon for sauteing onions)
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 32 ounces frozen diced hash browns thawed
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.1 tablespoon butter½ cup finely chopped onion
- In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, sauteed onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.1/2 cup melted butter32 ounces frozen diced hash browns, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Stir well to combine.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top.
- Toss crushed Ritz crackers with 1⁄4 cup melted butter until coated. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.2 cups crushed Ritz crackers, ¼ cup melted butter
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, thaw the hash browns completely before mixing.
- Use sharp cheddar and don’t skip the buttery cracker topping.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.