Funeral sandwiches are a comforting and delicious dish perfect for gatherings or family meals. These warm, savory sandwiches combine ham and swiss cheese layered between soft hawaiian rolls, all topped with a flavorful butter mixture. They are easy to prepare and sure to be a hit with everyone.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to pick up hawaiian rolls if you don't already have them at home. These sweet, soft rolls are essential for the unique flavor and texture of the sandwiches. Additionally, poppy seeds and dijon mustard might not be staples in every pantry, so be sure to grab those at the supermarket.

Ingredients For Funeral Sandwiches Recipe
Hawaiian rolls: Soft, sweet rolls that provide the perfect base for the sandwiches.
Ham: Sliced deli ham adds a savory and salty flavor to the sandwiches.
Swiss cheese: Melty and slightly nutty cheese that pairs well with ham.
Butter: Melted butter is used to create a rich and flavorful topping.
Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the butter mixture.
Worcestershire sauce: Provides a deep, umami flavor to the topping.
Poppy seeds: Adds a slight crunch and visual appeal to the sandwiches.
Onion powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a subtle onion taste.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the butter mixture, ensure the butter is fully melted and well-combined with the dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and onion powder. This will help the flavors meld together and evenly coat the sandwiches. Additionally, when pouring the mixture over the sandwiches, use a pastry brush to spread it evenly, ensuring every roll is well-coated for maximum flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
hawaiian rolls - Substitute with brioche buns: Brioche buns have a similar sweetness and soft texture, making them a good alternative.
hawaiian rolls - Substitute with dinner rolls: Dinner rolls are also soft and slightly sweet, providing a comparable base for the sandwiches.
sliced deli ham - Substitute with turkey slices: Turkey slices offer a leaner option with a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
sliced deli ham - Substitute with roast beef slices: Roast beef provides a richer, more robust flavor for a different taste experience.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone has a similar melting quality and mild flavor.
swiss cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar adds a sharper flavor and melts well, making it a good alternative.
melted butter - Substitute with melted margarine: Margarine can be used as a dairy-free option with a similar consistency.
melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a healthier fat option with a distinct flavor.
dijon mustard - Substitute with yellow mustard: Yellow mustard offers a milder flavor but still adds the necessary tang.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar tangy flavor with added texture.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor and saltiness.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a sweet and tangy flavor, though slightly different, it complements the other ingredients well.
poppy seeds - Substitute with sesame seeds: Sesame seeds offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor.
poppy seeds - Substitute with chia seeds: Chia seeds provide a similar texture and are a nutritious alternative.
onion powder - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder offers a different but complementary flavor.
onion powder - Substitute with minced dried onions: Minced dried onions provide a similar onion flavor with a bit more texture.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the funeral sandwiches to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can make the sandwiches soggy.
Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps to maintain their freshness and prevents them from sticking together.
Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This provides an extra layer of protection against moisture and air, which can cause the sandwiches to dry out or become stale.
Store the container or bag in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the sandwiches within 3-4 days. This keeps the ham and cheese fresh and safe to eat.
For longer storage, place the individually wrapped sandwiches in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of how long they've been stored.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight if they were frozen. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor of the hawaiian rolls and fillings.
Reheat the sandwiches in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through and the cheese is melted. You can also use a microwave for a quicker option, but the oven method helps retain the crispiness of the rolls.
If you prefer, you can reheat the sandwiches directly from frozen. Simply increase the baking time to 20-25 minutes, covering them with aluminum foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent the tops from browning too quickly.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover funeral sandwiches on a baking sheet. Cover them with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the ham and cheese are heated through and the tops are slightly crispy.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the sandwiches on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly. Be cautious not to overheat, as the bread can become chewy.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are crispy.
For a stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted to your liking.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) to bake the sandwiches.
Baking dish: Place the bottom halves of the Hawaiian rolls in this dish.
Knife: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally.
Small bowl: Mix the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and onion powder in this bowl.
Aluminum foil: Cover the baking dish with this to bake the sandwiches initially.
Measuring cups: Measure out the melted butter.
Measuring spoons: Measure out the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and onion powder.
Basting brush: Optionally, use this to evenly spread the butter mixture over the sandwiches.
Spatula: Use this to serve the warm sandwiches.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-slice the rolls: Slice the hawaiian rolls ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to save a few minutes.
Pre-mix the sauce: Combine the butter mixture ingredients in advance and refrigerate. Just reheat before pouring over the sandwiches.
Layer efficiently: Lay out the ham and cheese slices in a single layer on a tray for quick assembly.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Substitute sliced swiss cheese with pre-shredded swiss cheese to save on slicing time.
Batch preparation: Prepare multiple batches at once and freeze the extras for a quick meal later.

Funeral Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 unit Hawaiian rolls
- 1 lb Deli ham sliced
- 12 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup Butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
- Layer the ham and Swiss cheese over the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the ham and cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and onion powder.
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the sandwiches.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and crispy.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
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