Chapel Of The Chimes Oakland - A Lifemark Group Property

How Planning Ahead Can Help You Save on Funeral Costs

Pre-planning your own funeral may seem morbid, but it should be seen as a natural part of life, as it provides you with time to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere. Additionally, pre-planning spares your loved ones the stress and heartache of planning your funeral after you’ve passed away. Planning ahead can also help cut down on your funeral costs. Here’s a look at how funeral pre-planning can help you save. 

Find the Right Casket or Urn

One of the biggest funeral expenses is the burial vessel. Whether you wish to be buried or cremated, you can save money in the long-run by shopping around for the best deal on the casket or urn that you want. This will also spare your loved ones the grief of picking out your casket or urn for you.

Budget Your Funeral and Memorial Services

When you pre-plan your funeral, you will be able to break down the cost of every service you’d like as part of your funeral and memorial. This will allow you to see exactly how much your funeral will cost. This is much better than making wishes for your family without considering how much it will cost them when you pass away.

Protect Your Family from Inflation

If you pre-fund your final arrangement, your money is put in a state-approved trust account or top-rated insurance company until required by the funeral home. Because your expenses are paid for upfront, the cost of your funeral and memorial services will not go up due to inflation.

If you would like to start pre-planning your funeral, contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. When you pre-plan with Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, your plan will go where you go—meaning that no matter where you reside at the time of your passing and no matter what funeral home you choose to work with, your plan will be transferable to any funeral home in the U.S. To learn more about our funeral pre-planning services, call us at (510) 455-4004. 

Deciding Between Cremation or Burial Services

Whether you are planning your own memorial service or planning for a loved one, deciding between a cremation or burial service can be challenging. First and foremost, it is a matter of personal preference. If your loved one mentioned his or her wish to be cremated, respect that wish and go with a cremation service. To learn more about the differences between cremation and burial services, watch this short video clip. 

Here at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we can help you plan a touching cremation or burial service for yourself or a loved one. Visit our website to learn more about our memorial services, or call us at (510) 455-4004 to speak with one of our funeral planners. 

A Look at the Toll Grief Takes on Your Health

The loss of a loved one can affect every aspect of life, including physical wellness. Just as grief can set into motion feelings of sadness and anger, so too can it impact the way people eat and sleep. If you have recently experienced the passing of a friend or family member, keep in mind these common side effects of the mourning process. In cases where your symptoms do not alleviate with time, you may want to seek help from a grief specialist.

Fatigue

The emotional strain of grief can deplete your energy reserves. As a result, you may feel excessively tired in the days and weeks ensuing the loss of a loved one. Just as with any other medical condition, it is important to address fatigue with helpful lifestyle habits. For instance, eating a nutritious diet and engaging in physical activity can help in preserving energy. Getting adequate sleep each night can also offset the fatigue complications that can accompany the mourning process.

Insomnia

Some individuals find that they have a more difficult time sleeping when experiencing the loss of a friend or family member. In turn, a lack of sleep can aggravate the fatigue from which grieving individuals might already be suffering. Insomnia can also lead to feelings of anxiety or depression, which can increase the challenge of getting enough rest each night. When insomnia persists for more than a few days, it can even cause serious cardiovascular problems. Seeking medical assistance for this problem is essential to long-term health.

Appetite

To have enough energy, you must eat appropriate foods that provide vitamins and minerals for your body. However, some people lose interest in eating in response to a loved one’s passing. If you find that you are not as hungry as you once were during normal mealtimes, you might become chronically tired. To keep your energy reserves high, try to eat smaller meals throughout the day. You might also want to speak with a professional who deals with grief-related health concerns.

You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward can help you find the resources you need during this difficult time. Call our office today at (866) 475-9407 or visit our website for more information on our grief services. 

Personalizing Your Memorial Service

Today, more and more Americans are moving toward colorful, personalized ways to say goodbye to loved ones. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association found that 62 percent of those wanting a funeral service preferred some form of personalization. If you want to give your own funeral a personal touch, now is the time to start planning. While you are pre-planning your memorial service, consider these ways to personalize the funeral.

Pay Tribute to Your Passions

When your friends and family members attend your funeral, they will be there to honor and remember you. Part of what makes you the man or woman your friends and family love is your passions. No matter what you are passionate about, be it woodworking, sailing, or even karaoke, try to pay homage to what you loved so those closest to you can feel a greater sense of closeness to you during your memorial service.

Share Your Favorite Foods

On a similar note, sharing your favorite food and beverages with your memorial attendees can also add an intimate closeness to your service. Meet with a funeral planner to discuss where the food will be served, how much to order, and to arrange any special instructions on how the food should be presented and served.

Write a Message to Your Loved Ones

People are accustomed to writing thoughtful goodbyes to loved ones after they deceased, but why not write a farewell to your friends and family before you pass? Writing a message to your loved ones can bring a sense of closure to those who are struggling to come to grips with your death.

If you want to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere, start the online planning process now or meet with one of the pre-planning advisors here at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We will help you plan a touching, personalized memorial service at our beautiful funeral home in Oakland, CA. To get started, contact us online or call us at (510) 455-4004. 

Wording a Memorial Service Invitation

Although a memorial service is the best way to remember and celebrate the life of someone close to you, it can be difficult to plan while you are in the middle of the grieving process. Even something like writing a memorial service invitation can be an emotional struggle. To make it easier on yourself, keep the invitation simple. Perhaps include a quote from the deceased’s favorite poem, or a personal statement from the family addressing the deceased. Enter the dates of the individual’s birth and death inside the invitation. Enter the details of the memorial service so the invited know when and where the ceremony will be held. And if you desire to do so, include a short biography about the deceased.

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland can help you plan a touching funeral service for yourself or a family member. We can help you plan every aspect of the funeral, including the minor details like the memorial service invitations. To learn more about our funeral planning services, please call us at (510) 455-4004.