My customer is also a good friend and just lost his 45 year old wife suddenly from a massive heart attack. He is asking for a tribute cake for her and has left all design up to me other than he wants a few of her interests represented on the cake (music, knitting, crafting, reading) and sugar roses. The cake needs to serve 50 people.

My dilemma--how to accomplish this in good taste without making a cluttered mess or something in bad taste? What is appropriate on a cake at a funeral?

He is so distraught I really don't want to bother him for any more feedback.

I would suggest an arrangement of roses (buttercream or any media you prefer) and a set of knitting needles with a few music notes in gumpaste or fondant/gumpaste . This could be done easily enough on a 12 x 18 sheet cake.

My condolences. Myra has a good idea; a sheet cake is simple and nice. Your friend suggested four subjects - music, knitting, crafting, reading - and a small design of each would also be appropriate for each corner.

I also like the suggestion. If done with small notes and needles tucked into the roses it will be very nice.
I usually think of a sweet floral cake for that occasion - it's aimed mainly at the family to help them see something nice/beautiful in their sorrow.

Amber, the suggestions above are excellent. If you wish to provide something other than a sheet cake, a 10" square cake would make an excellent presentation, and you could utilize the ideas above.

A 10"x4" square cake has 50 wedding sized servings which are quite small, so if you wished to allow for larger servings, you could use a 12" (two, 2" layers for a total 4" height) square pan.

Don't know if you want any lettering on it or not, but something like 'A life well lived' might tie in with the tribute theme and your items.