• How to Plan a Funeral According to Custom

    When planning a loved one’s funeral , there are a number of factors to consider. In addition to reflecting the personality of the individual whose life you are commemorating, you should think about the person’s background and how this may play a role in the funeral options you choose.

    Watch this video to learn how religious affiliations, family tradition, and ethnic heritage can affect decisions about funeral services. Funeral location, ceremony, method of handling the body, and even the time of day at which the funeral is held can all be affected by culture and tradition.

    If you are looking for a full-service funeral home and crematory, call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. Our beautiful and historic buildings are the perfect place to lay your loved one to rest.

  • Jazz at the Chimes – September 16, 2012

    Jazz at the Chimes - 9-16-12

  • In Memory of Cynthia Rodriguez

    Cynthia_Rodriguez

    Chapel of the Chimes has been honored to serve the Cynthia Rodriguez family.  If you would like to make a donation for Cynthia’s cemetery arrangements please contact Karee Korell the Location Manager at Chapel of the Chimes at 510-228-3214 or you can mail in your donation to the address below.  Cynthia’s family would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words during this difficult time.

    Chapel of the Chimes

    Attn:  Karee Korell

    4499 Piedmont Ave

    Oakland, CA 94611

    Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Chimes, Friday, August 24, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Funeral Service will be held, Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church 1023 Peralta St. Oakland, CA 94607

  • What You Need to Know About Cremation

    Funeral wood urn

    Cremation has been practiced in some parts of the world for thousands of years. In the United States, however, the choice of cremation as part of the funeral process has only recently become prevalent. If you are pre-planning your funeral or making arrangements for a loved one who has recently passed away, educate yourself about cremation to help you make the important decision between burial and cremation.

    • Benefits of Cremation
      Depending on your preferences and priorities, cremation may offer several advantages over a traditional burial. When the most basic options are chosen, cremation is generally cheaper than burial. Cremation is also typically a more environmentally friendly way to handle of a loved one’s body.
    • Cremation Process
      During cremation, a body is inserted into a cremation chamber, where it is exposed to temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This intense heat reduces the body to bone fragments, often referred to as cremated remains or ashes.
    • Ceremony Options
      Before a body is cremated, a family can choose to hold a viewing, just like the viewing that can be held for a full-body burial. Individuals can also choose a direct cremation. With both options, a funeral service or memorial can still be held.
    • Cremated Remains
      You can choose to scatter some or all of the cremated remains in a place that held some sort of significance to the loved who has recently passed away. Any ashes that are not scattered can be stored below the ground, in an above-ground urn, or in columbarium.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland provides a full range of funeral and cremation services. Our historic chapel is a beautiful place to honor your loved one with a special ceremony, and our cemetery and columbarium are idyllic places for the storage of your loved one’s remain. If you are in need of funeral planning assistance, call (510) 654-0123 to speak with a dedicated and compassionate funeral service provider.

  • Discover More About Veteran Funeral Benefits and Chapel of the Chimes

    Honor and patriotism

    The times following a loved one’s death can be extremely difficult. If you’ve found our recent posts helpful, take a look at some of the resources below.

    • If your loved one was a veteran, learn about military funeral honors from this page from VA.gov.
       
    • If you aren’t sure whether your loved one’s veteran’s benefits extend to you or your family, this guide from Funerals.org can help.
       
    • This article reviews the Chapel of the Chimes grounds and exhibits.
       
    • JazzWest.com gives you a look at Jazz at the Chimes , a popular concert series that is hosted at Chapel of the Chimes.
       
    • Learn a bit more about our beautiful funeral facilities in this blurb from the San Francisco Chronicle .

    For more information about any of our end-of-life services , call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland today at (510) 654-0123.

  • Parental Bereavement Support Group

    Parental Bereavement Support Group

  • Chapel of the Chimes: A Beautiful Place to Reside

    burial urn

    Choosing a place for your loved one to reside after death can be an emotional challenge. At Chapel of the Chimes, we provide a wide array of funeral, burial, and cremation options so that you can choose what is right for your family. Our facilities extend over one and a half blocks, and our buildings are considered to be some of California’s most beautiful and historic due to their gothic, romantic décor.

    Cremation Chapel of the Chimes is the most desired cremation facility in the Bay area. Our original structure contained the first electric crematorium in the world. Since then, our columbarium—a location dedicated to the placement and memorialization of cremated remains—has expanded to include both indoor and weather-resistant outdoor niches. We offer placements for a single urn, couples, or entire families. Choosing cremation does not limit your funeral service options—we offer memorial services either before or after the cremation.

    Entombment Our mausoleums, which were added by architect Aaron Green in 1959, make Chapel of the Chimes one of the most comprehensive end-of-life services providers. The mausoleum additions to the original columbarium structure allows for the above-ground entombment of casketed remains.

    Traditional Burial In addition to entombment and cremation services, Chapel of the Chimes also provides traditional, in-ground burial services. You may pick the location, custom headstone, and service options for your loved one.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland was founded in 1909 and has strived to provide the most comprehensive end-of-life services for our customers ever since. Our buildings and grounds are praised for their design and beauty. We also offer pre-planning services, and we can discuss all of your options with you to help you make the right decision. Call us today at (510) 654-0123 to find out more.