• Memorial Services and Other Ways to Remember and Honor Your Passed Loved One in Coming Years

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    The aftermath of losing a loved one is a difficult experience for everyone. But even though your loved one has passed on, you will always have memories to look back upon. There are many ways in which you can keep your loved one’s memory alive for many years to come.

    Make a Donation You can preserve a legacy for your loved one for years to come by making a pledge or donation in his or her name. Examples of this could include a college scholarship for children in your town or a donation to a charity with a mission that he or she admired, among others.

    Hold a Memorial Memorials are a great way to commemorate a life and connect with others who miss your loved one. They don’t have to be elaborate to be memorable. You might gather some of your loved one’s friends and family at one of his or her favorite places, such as the beach, a restaurant, or even a city. Even if it’s just for an hour or two, everyone can have a chance to quell some of their own grief and share fond memories.

    Plant a Tree in Their Honor You might also consider planting a tree in your yard in memory of your loved one. Pick a species that conveys something about him or her, such as an oak tree to show strength or a tree that bears his or her favorite fruit. Not only do trees live for hundreds of years, they also come to be part of your property, so that even after you sell your home and move on, future owners will always be able to look upon and admire the tall, beautiful tree that symbolizes the spirit of your late loved one.

    Don’t forget that the first step after any loss is to ensure that your loved one receives a proper burial. Chapel of the Chimes offers a full range of services to put your loved one to rest with the respect and care that they deserve. Call us at (866) 475-9407 to learn more about the services that we offer.

  • After the Funeral: How Men and Women Grieve Differently

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    The pain that follows the death of a loved one takes its toll on everyone in different ways, and gender plays a role in those differences. In that sense, it can be difficult for friends and family to interpret the emotions and actions displayed by their grieving peers. Here are three ways in which men and women tend to handle grief differently:

    Coping with Memories Everyone must cope with memories after a loss, and the main decision is normally how one is going to handle them. Oftentimes, women will immerse themselves in the past, doing whatever they can to keep the memories alive, even if it means delaying their own recovery. This could take the form of anything from keeping pictures of their lost loved one in prominent locations to creating a shrine. Men differ starkly from women in this sense, in that their restoration tends to take priority. They will repress memories, trying to appear stronger and much closer to recovering from their grief than they really are.

    Reactions A study by Yale University researchers indicated that men are more likely than women to turn to alcoholism in the wake of a loss. After exposing a group of 27 males and 27 females to emotion-provoking imagery, the researchers found that their male subjects showed emotional responses linked to alcohol cravings. The female subjects, on the other hand, reported greater feelings of sadness and anxiety, which can potentially result in depression or anxiety disorders.

    Willingness to Seek Help Women tend to be much more open about their grief after loss, actively seeking out groups and other support networks to which they can vent their feelings. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to keep their mourning private. Rather than joining groups like women, they will keep their grief pent up inside them, sometimes taking up new hobbies and activities to take their mind off the pain.

    You can always depend on Chapel of the Chimes to help you handle your recent loss. We offer compassionate, professional end-of-life services to assist you at every step of the way. To set up a consultation, call (866) 475-9407.

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  • Get More Information about Our Funeral Services by Visiting These Pages

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    At Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland , we offer a peaceful place for your loved one to be laid to rest. For more information about the funeral-planning process, take a look at these links:

    If you would like to learn more about our services , call us at (510) 654-0123 or visit us online.