Chapel Of The Chimes Oakland - A Lifemark Group Property

How to Be a Pallbearer

Being asked to be a pallbearer at a funeral is a tremendous honor and allows you to make a final gesture of love to the deceased. Men and women can be selected as pallbearers. Once you accept the invitation to be a pallbearer at a funeral, you will need to arrive at the funeral home early to receive instructions from the director about where to sit and where to take the casket following the service. To learn more about the duties of a pallbearer, watch this short video clip. 

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland can help you plan a fitting farewell to a friend or family member. Whether your loved one wished to be buried or cremated, we can help you plan a unique and meaningful ceremony to honor and cherish your loved one. We can also help you pre-plan your own funeral to save your loved ones the expense and stress of planning a funeral after your death. To learn more about our funeral services, please call us at (510) 455-4004. 

Capturing Your Loved One's Life and Memory in a Eulogy

It’s hard to put into words what those closest to us mean, how much we love them, and how much we will miss them when they’re gone. And while it can be even more difficult to come up with these words while you are grieving the death of your loved one, it is important to take time and think long and hard about the eulogy you will prepare. If you will be delivering a eulogy at your loved one’s funeral, here are some tips for capturing the deceased’s memory.

Reach Out to Friends and Relatives

As you begin brainstorming, reach out to fellow mourners and ask for their stories and suggestions about how to best capture your loved one’s life. If other family members will be delivering eulogies, ask them if you can include the stories they shared with you to make sure you do not steal anything from their speech.

Give Examples and Include Anecdotes

To paint a clear picture of who your loved one was, use concrete examples and include anecdotes whenever possible in your eulogy. For example, don’t just say that your father was a generous man, but tell a story or two that gives listeners an example of his generosity. And don’t be afraid to tell funny anecdotes, as laughter can be very healing for those in mourning.

Keep Going

It may prove to be incredibly trying, but don’t give up on completing a eulogy for your loved one. Putting in the effort and then offering other mourners your heartfelt thoughts and memories is the greatest gift you can give those who are also suffering with the loss of a loved one.

In addition to our funeral services, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers grief support for individuals who are struggling to come to terms with the passing of a closer friend or family member. And if you are looking for a funeral home, know that we strive to deliver the most touching memorial services. To learn more about our funeral home in Oakland, call us at (510) 455-4004. 

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.