• A Look at Your Cremation Memorialization Options

    Pink and blue Hydrangea

    Unless you are highly familiar with cremation practices throughout the country, you may assume that a traditional urn is the only choice for the storage of a loved one’s cremated remains. While a traditional urn is an appropriate choice for many families, there are several cremation memorialization options that provide families with the opportunity to honor a loved one in a more personalized way.

    Glass-Front Niches Inexpensive and 100% customizable, a glass-front niche allows you to honor the memory of a loved one by displaying a photograph or a trinket that reminds you of him or her. Various urn types fit inside of these glass-front niches.

    Natural Stone Niches In place of glass, you can choose a columbarium niche with a granite or marble front. These niches are durable and can be purchased for indoor or outdoor cremation memorialization.

    Cremorials Cremorials can be purchased for those who would like to store their loved one’s remains under the earth. Choose between several beautiful garden cremorial options, some of which feature fountains.

    Cremation Benches When you elect to honor your loved one’s memory with a cremation bench, your loved one can serve as your figurative rock as you sit on the bench and reflect on the time you spent together.

    Fully Customized Monuments If you want to honor your loved one with a one-of-a-kind cremation memorial, you can work with a design team to create any type of memorial. Choose from a variety of materials, including bronze, wood, and stone. Express any ideas you have with the memorial design team, and watch as the sail boat, golf bag, or baseball bat you envisioned becomes a physical reality.

    At Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, our cremation memorial design team works closely with families to create the perfect memorial for their loved ones. No matter what your budget looks like, we can create the perfect cremation memorial. To speak with a member of our caring and dedicated team about any of our funeral planning and cremation services, call us at (510) 654-0123.

  • What Flowers Are Traditional for Funerals?

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    Flowers have been a fixture at funerals for hundreds of years. During that time, changes in the colors, types, and arrangements of flowers have become acceptable for individuals of various backgrounds. If you are planning a funeral or preparing to purchase flowers as a sympathy gift, educate yourself on which type of flowers are appropriate for the occasion:

    Color In some religious traditions, certain colors and types of flowers are considered customary. In Buddhism, white flowers are generally incorporated into funeral arrangements. In other major religions, such as Christianity, a variety of colors are acceptable. Are you selecting flowers for the family of someone who has recently passed away? Consider the family’s religious affiliation and any special requests that were indicated on the funeral announcement.

    Personality Flower arrangements that have traditionally been displayed at funerals typically include red or white roses. Floral arrangements that serve as tributes to deceased children are often designed with brightly colored flowers. If you are unsure what is appropriate, white and red roses are typically a safe choice.

    “In Lieu of Flowers…” It is uncommon for flowers to be incorporated into Jewish funerals; however, families of all religious traditions sometimes request that flowers not be brought to a funeral service. Look closely at any funeral announcements you receive, and make sure that the family of the deceased has not requested that a charitable donation be made in lieu of flowers before you visit the florist.

    Are you coping with the loss of a loved one in the Oakland area and looking for a funeral home that can provide you with all of the assistance that you need? Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is a full-service funeral home, cemetery, and crematory with a compassionate and experienced staff that can help you with every step of the funeral planning process. To speak with one of our funeral service professionals, call us at (510) 654-0123.

  • Last Reminder! Don’t Forget About Jazz at the Chimes This Sunday!

    Jazz at the Chimes - 9-16-12

  • Find Helpful Funeral Advice with These Resources

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    Have our recent blog posts proven to be helpful during your time of need? To learn more about cremation and advanced funeral planning , check out the links provided below.

    If you are looking for a reputable funeral home or cremation services, call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Mark Your Calendars for Jazz at the Chimes on Sunday, September 16th!

    Jazz at the Chimes - 9-16-12

  • Jazz at the Chimes on September 16th!

    Jazz at the Chimes - 9-16-12

  • Three Benefits of Funeral Pre-Planning

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    Though it may be difficult to consider, you may benefit from thinking about how you would like your body to be handled after you pass away. This helps to ensure your funeral services are handled the way you want and also helps to alleviate loved ones’ stresses. Here are a few of the reasons why you should consider funeral pre-planning:

    Have Things Your Way Regardless of whether you wish to be buried or cremated, planning your funeral services in advance gives you the freedom to choose how you want your services handled. You can make as few or as many specific decisions as you would like—either way, you can ensure that your funeral services are the way you want them to be.

    Spare Your Loved Ones Emotional Stress Pre-planning your funeral spares your loved ones the stress and uncertainty that come with making critical and permanent decisions at a time of emotional duress. Even if you do not make comprehensive plans for your funeral, your few decisions could go a long way toward helping to alleviate your loved ones stresses. Additionally, your loved ones will not be left wondering whether the decisions they make are in line with your wishes.

    Provide Financial Certainty When you pre-plan your funeral, you typically have the option of paying for it in advance. If you are in a position to cover your own funeral expenses, you will spare your loved ones another burden and feel even more at ease about what will happen to you after you pass.

    Are you ready to make advanced arrangements for your funeral? If so, a funeral service provider at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland can help you. To find out more about the full range of funeral services from which you can choose, including cremation, call us at (510) 654-0123.

  • Jazz at the Chimes – September 16, 2012

    Jazz at the Chimes - 9-16-12