As someone raised in the area and grew up Mormon, my understanding is that ham and cheese potato casserole is a typical dish served at funerals in Utah because its easy to prepare and therefore less hassle for grieving women at funerals who often were tasked with not only funeral-specific tasks but the food prep as well. This 2023 article from Deseret News (a pro-Mormon news organization) gives an introductory history.
As someone raised in the area and grew up Mormon, my understanding is that ham and cheese potato casserole is a typical dish served at funerals in Utah because its easy to prepare and therefore less hassle for grieving women at funerals who often were tasked with not only funeral-specific tasks but the food prep as well. This 2023 article from Deseret News (a pro-Mormon news organization) gives an introductory history.