I have a dear friend who recently passed, under rather tragic circumstances. He was the manager of a local bar and this is where they are holding his wake.

Anyway, I have, for the last 7 or 8 years, made his birthday cakes. He always held his parties at the bar so I've given his cakes there and he always raved about them. Half of the time, he would take the cake with him and not cut it and share with the other patrons.

Sign up board asking for volunteers to bring various dishes to the wake was posted at the bar last evening. Everyone is still in a state of shock at his passing. I was asked by several people that I know to bring a cake. I have no problem with that, but I am at a loss as to what type of cake to bring.

He loved my deep dark chocolate the best so I was planning just a 1/4 sheet in that flavor, iced with my traditional icing (Whimsical Bakehouse House Buttercream). Should I just decorate it plainly, like with a border, flowers, any type of saying? Most of the cakes I made prior to this for him involved either sports teams (Detroit) or (ack!) boobies or butt cakes.

I have NO idea and want to do something tasteful and not tacky. Please....any ideas would be most appreciated. TIA.

My opinion: Stick with your instinct to decorate simply with just a border - nothing that might be construed as celebratory. His favorite flavor is enough, without special decor. Sorry for your loss.

I would say simple with a border and, at the most, a few understated flowers. I think it would be a nice touch to make the cake the flavor that your friend liked of yours. I know when my step-daughter passed away, I made individual banana puddings for the reception after the service - she always wanted banana pudding when she came home. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that the service is a special remembrance for your friend.

I'm sorry for your loss. Check the galleries here. There are several beautiful cakes there. I never knew people requested special cakes until I saw it on here.

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

I was once asked to do a cake for such an occasion as well. I did a sheet cake with simple borders and a single long-stemmed gumpaste rose in the center.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I too just lost a very close friend suddenly 2 weeks ago. His wife asked me to make a cake for his funeral which was held at their house. She wanted it to be somewhat of a memorial cake. She wanted it to include all his hobbies/likes and a few photos. I feel for you because this was the hardest cake I have ever had to make.

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2094813

This was a topic of discussion just a few days ago, too. You might want to check out that thread for some ideas:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-724122.html
HTH

I'm so sorry about your loss. Here is a cake I did earlier this year for a family friend. This cake serves 100, one side is vanilla with strawberry filling, the other side is chocolate:

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2019702

and this one my family asked me to a memorial cake for my uncle who passed away, this style of cake is real flexible. This one served 100 also:

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1527178
HTH

I am so sorry for your loss, I lost my father suddenly last year and looking back if I would have made a cake I probably would have had some happy pictures of him fishing turned into edible images and placed them on the cake with a border.

Thank you all for your ideas, suggestions and condolences. You guys are the best! Thie is what I came up with. Indeed, this was the most difficult cake I have made. His birthday is next month and the thought of not making him a birthday cake is heartbreaking. This last cake, in his honor, was truly a labor of love. Thanks again, everyone.

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2099262