The last meal is a traditional part of a condemned prisoner's last day. The day before the appointed time of execution, the prisoner will be given the meal, as well as religious rites, if he or she desires.In many countries the prisoner may have the luxury of selecting what the last meal will be (within reason), and the authorities do their best to provide a prisoner with the requested meal.

When a death order has been issued, the condemned prisoner is informed in the morning of his or her execution. The condemned is given their choice of the last meal. The prisoner's family and legal representatives are never informed until afterwards. Consequently, there is no possibility of a final meeting.

A great list of many famous executed criminals, and their last meal requests. Judging from the list provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, most condemned prisoners crave chocolate.