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How to Set Up a Meal Schedule After a Sudden Loss OCTOBER 14, 2025 / ADINA BAILEY / 
Hello, friend! Today's topic is a bit heavy, but I'm always grateful to feel prepared to help when a sudden loss occurs. Offering to set up a meal schedule is one of the most practical ways to show support and, if someone has already set one up, sign up to take one of the earliest meals if you can. This is when already having a meal in your freezer or local carry out works great!
I'll share one of my favorite freezer recipes at the bottom of the post. As always, feel free to reply to this email with any tips you may have. ~Adina
Your loved one is unexpectedly facing a very difficult situation and you know that having meals prepared by others for a few days, weeks, or months would be a huge help. Here are some helpful questions for you to ask your friend when you discuss setting up a meal schedule:
Q: Is anyone coordinating meals for you?
If no one is filling this role, offer to be the meal coordinator. If your friend seems hesitant to accept help (although you know it's needed), you could say, "I know it's hard to accept help, but there are so many people who would like to care for you by providing meals. You are giving your friends a gift by allowing them to do this for you."
Q: How many days a week would it be helpful to have meals?
In difficult circumstances, 3-4 weeks of meals is a good start and you can suggest 3-4 meals per week. You can always extend your meal schedule, if needed. You want to find the balance of enough food, but not too much food. You might also ask if there are certain days of the week that would work best, and also whether breakfast and lunch could be helpful on certain days.
Q: What groups of people would you like to know about the meal schedule?
This will often include friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and more -- but it is best to ask your friend how widely they would like the schedule to be shared. It's also helpful to provide your friend with the meal schedule link, so it can be shared when someone asks how they can help.
Q: Should the person bringing your meal come to the door?
If it is a situation where it will be difficult for someone at the home to greet the meal providers (sadness, reduced immunity, desire for privacy, etc.), a cooler can be placed outside the front door with a note asking for the meal to be placed in the cooler. You can also arrange for meals to be delivered to a neighbor or friend and the same person can deliver each meal.
Q: Is there a day or days when a large group of people will be at home for meals?
This often happens in the form of a funeral meal, or other family gatherings after significant life events. PerfectPotluck.com can be helpful for coordinating those large group meals.
Q: Is there anything else that would be helpful to you during this time?
Oftentimes, your friend's needs will extend beyond just meals -- whether that be to have someone check in on them occasionally, or a ride to medical treatment, etc. Take the opportunity while discussing their meal needs to find out other ways you can be of help to them.
Q: What else do meal providers need to know as they prepare to bring you a meal?
 These enchiladas freeze really well and it's easy to double the recipe. I put the enchiladas in 8x8 or 9x9 foil pans, so they can be stored easily in the freezer.
Use black beans only to make them vegetarian. Corn tortillas would make them gluten-free, but they never roll well for me. Instead, you could freeze the filling and send along some corn tortillas separately to serve like tacos.
You can find many other main dishes that freeze well in our recipe section.
Read other recent articles by Adina Bailey:
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Welcome! We're thrilled you stopped by. Our own joys and sorrows have taught us that a well-timed meal delivered by a friend is one of the best gifts imaginable. In this space, we share our favorite recipes to take to friends, meal-taking tips, and other ways to care for those who are dear to you. Helpful Posts
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