Funeral Sandwiches (Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe)

These funeral sandwiches are sweet, savory, cheesy little miracles—aka the ultimate ham and cheese sliders—and they’ve been perfected in my Southern kitchen more times than I can count. Made with soft Hawaiian sweet rolls, salty ham, nutty Swiss cheese, and a buttery brown sugar glaze, they’ve earned their place at everything from game days and potlucks to those comforting gatherings at the funeral home when words just aren’t enough.

What is a Funeral Sandwich

Funeral Sandwiches (also known as the ultimate ham and cheese party sandwiches!) are one of my most popular recipes of all time.

So what exactly are funeral sliders? Originally served as a comforting bite at gatherings after memorial services, funeral sandwiches were a great way for Southern communities to show love and support through food.

Because you know when Southern people show up for a sweet family going through a difficult time, you can bet there’s going to be some SOLID food choices. A casserole dish of these Hawaiian roll sliders on the table along with a gallon of delicious sweet tea, a tin of chocolate chip cookies, and a couple of bags of chips to round it all out.

This original recipe for these funeral sliders was taught to me by my best friends mother who grew up in Alabama. It is EVERYTHING! After making these for the last 15 years (for literally every event that I've ever hosted) these ham and cheese sandwiches have become their own kind of love language, and honestly? It’s no surprise why.

This funeral rolls recipe uses simple ingredients—just sliced slider buns, salty ham, Swiss cheese, and a magical sauce made with melted butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a little mustard for tang. You can even toss in some teaspoons of onion powder or garlic powder if you like it extra punchy. 

Then you soak the tops of the sandwiches in that buttery glaze, cover everything in plastic wrap, and let the flavor do its thing. You can make these the night before, stash them in the fridge, and bake them off just before serving. I've also got a trick if you don't have time to soak them - and it's honestly how I make them most of the time.

And if it’s your first time making these funeral rolls? Just trust me. They're supposed to be slightly soggy so be sure to serve them up with plenty of paper towels. And if that sounds bizarre, seriously, I get it. Just trust the process. This is the next level easy appetizer recipe you’ll want on repeat - from your son's house warming party to your newest grandson’s baby shower - they literally never get old. 

These aren't just good—they're golden brown, gooey, sweet-and-savory perfection. I've got years of perfecting this recipe and I can guarantee that everyone will love them and beg you for the recipe. So let's get to cookin' yall!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s everything you need to make these delicious cheese and ham sliders. And best of all, you probably already have most of it in your kitchen!

• Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: These are a must for that classic sweet-savory flavor combo. But any dinner rolls or slider buns will do if you can't find sweet hawaiian rolls.
• Virginia Ham: I like it thinly sliced so it layers up beautifully. You could also use Black Forest or leftover baked ham. Honestly, any ham will do!
• Swiss Cheese: Nutty and melty—perfection with ham. You can sub with provolone, white cheddar or Havarti if that’s what you’ve got.
• Butter: You’ll need one half cup butter (aka 1 stick), melted, to create the luscious brown sugar glaze. I prefer to use salted butter but if you're using unsalted, just add an extra pinch of salt - you need it to hold up to the sweetness of the rest of the sandwich.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelizes on top of the rolls. I don't recommend swapping for white sugar.
• Dijon Mustard: Gives the sauce tang and depth. Yellow mustard works too if that's all you have.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings that rich, savory umami flavor to your funeral sliders. Don't skip it! Soy sauce can also work but isn't nearly as good.
• OPTIONAL ADDITONS:
  • Onion Powder or Garlic Powder: Optional, but great if you want a little extra punch in your glaze.
  • Poppy Seeds: Totally optional, but they add crunch and that signature slider look.

How to Make It

These sliders are super easy to prep and bake—just don’t skip that glaze! After years of perfecting and testing this recipe, I also came up with a quick cook recipe that is just as delicious. So if you want them now and don't want to wait while they marinate, I got you!

• MAKE THE SAUCE:
  • FOR SERVING RIGHT NOW: If you’re short on time, add a stick of butter, brown sugar, dijon mustard and worcesthershire sauce to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan. Once it starts to bubble and thicken, turn off the heat and set aside. This helps the sauce caramelize onto the bread faster and means you don’t have to marinate the sandwiches.
  • FOR SOAKING OVER NIGHT: If you want the original recipe just grab a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and set aside - this will be the method you'll use if you want to prep them the night before.
• PREP THE BAKING DISH: Grease a baking dish and pour in 3–4 tablespoons of the sauce to coat the bottom.
• BUILD THE SLIDERS: Split the rolls horizontally and place the bottom half in the dish. Layer half of the Swiss cheese on the bottom, then the ham, and the remaining cheese. Add the top half of the rolls and pour the remaining sauce all over the top, making sure to coat each bun well.
• ADD OPTIONAL POPPY SEEDS: Sprinkle with poppy seeds, if using.

• CHILL OR BAKE: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. However, If you simmered the sauce, you can skip the chill and bake immediately.
• BAKE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• SERVE: Slice and serve warm. These are delicious straight from the oven or at room temperature.
• SAVE: Store any leftovers from this funeral sandwiches recipe wrapped in aluminum foil in the fridge. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.

What to Serve With Funeral Sandwiches

Serve these melty ham and Swiss sliders with:

• Pasta salads
• A gallon of delicious sweet tea
• Chips and onion dip
• A tray of deviled eggs with relish
• Or go all-in with a crock pot of mac and cheese!

And if this funeral sandwiches recipe sounds delicious, you might also like some of these tasty slider recipes that are perfect for last minute potluck ideas:

• Hawaiian Roll Turkey and Cheese Sliders
• Vodka Sauce Chicken Parm Sliders Recipe with Mozzarella
• Easy Chicken Sliders Recipe with Honey Mustard & Bacon
• Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Sliders Recipe on Hawaiian Rolls
• The Best Super Bowl Snacks & Appetizers Recipe Collection

Recipe

Funeral Sandwiches (Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe)

These funeral sandwiches are sweet, savory, cheesy little miracles—aka the ultimate ham and cheese sliders—and they’ve been perfected in my Southern kitchen more times than I can count. Made with soft Hawaiian sweet rolls, salty ham, nutty Swiss cheese, and a buttery brown sugar glaze, they’ve earned their place at everything from game days and potlucks to those comforting gatherings at the funeral home when words just aren’t enough.

5 from 14 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

If Marinating Overnight 1 day d

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, southern

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

• 10.5 by 7.5-inch Baking Dish
• Cutting Board
• Whisk
• Mixing Bowls
• Sauce Pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Brown Sugar Dijon Sauce

• 1 stick Salted Butter melted
• 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 2 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• 3 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Funeral Rolls

• 1 pack Hawaiian Rolls (12 rolls)
• ¾ lb Virginia Ham sliced thin
• ½ lb Swiss Cheese sliced thin
• Poppy Seeds optional

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• FOR SERVING RIGHT NOW: If you’re short on time, add a stick of butter, brown sugar, dijon mustard and worcesthershire sauce to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan. Once it starts to bubble and thicken, turn off the heat and set aside. This helps the sauce caramelize onto the bread faster and means you don’t have to marinate the sandwiches.
• FOR SOAKING OVER NIGHT: If you want the original recipe just grab a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and set aside - this will be the method you'll use if you want to prep them the night before.
• Once the sauce is ready, grease a baking dish and pour in about 3–4 tablespoons of the sauce to coat the bottom.
• Slice the rolls in half horizontally and lay the bottom half in the dish.
• Layer half the Swiss cheese, then the ham, then the rest of the cheese.
• Add the top half of the rolls and pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top of the rolls, making sure they’re well-coated. (Sprinkle with poppy seeds, if using.)
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. OR If sauce was simmered, skip the chill and go straight to baking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Slice and serve warm.

Video

Notes

I've included two versions of this recipe - personally, I ALWAYS just simmer the sauce so I don't have to soak the sandwiches over night. Both are delicious and both are tried and true methods so feel free to use whatever suits you!

Additionally, these sandwiches are known for their "soggy" texture with a slightly crispy top. If you aren't into them being soggy, do not put any glaze on the bottom half of the rolls - simply spray with some nonstick spray or even use parchment paper.

Keyword appetizer, christmas recipe, easter recipe, entertaining, holiday recipe, sliders

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