Although flowers play a prominent role in almost every funeral ceremony , few people understand the subtle differences between different funeral flowers. Carnations are a good example, since their meaning depends on their color. Red carnations, for example, represent strength, while white carnations represent innocence and truth.

In this video you will learn the meanings behind different funeral flowers. Understanding the meanings of different flowers is important because it can help you select an arrangement for your loved one’s funeral ceremony, or for an arrangement to send to a bereaved friend or acquaintance.

To learn more about the funeral planning services available at Chapel of The Chimes Oakland , call us at (510) 654-0123.

One of the most important aspects in planning end-of-life services is deciding whether to have a loved one buried or cremated. Both are appropriate options for various religious, environmental, and personal reasons. Find out more by following these links:

• Mausoleums are among the oldest forms of memorial for deceased individuals. Visit this gallery to learn about famous mausoleums around the world .
• For a helpful primer on funeral etiquette, read this article .
• Learn about natural burials at HowStuffWorks.com.
• This Wall Street Journal article outlines the growing popularity of cremating loved ones and scattering their ashes.
• The Caregiver’s Library offers a series of guides to help you with several end-of-life processes.

For more information on cremations and burial planning , call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123 or visit us online.

Chapel of the Chimes has been a historical part of Oakland for more than a century. Since Chapel of the Chimes’ doors first opened in 1909, families from throughout Northern California have been traveling near and far to put their loved ones to rest in this beautiful and scenic chapel. Chapel of the Chimes is home to thousands of people who graced history, including several famous faces. Take a look at this infographic to learn more about the rich history of one of Oakland’s most prized historic buildings and to see why Chapel of the Chimes is among the most comprehensive end-of-life service and cremation venues in the region. You’ll also learn about the diverse options for funeral services and cremation in Oakland . Feel free to share this infographic with anyone you know who is interested in the interesting and dynamic history of the Bay Area.

Grief can make mourners very sensitive after suffering a loss, so it is important to know exactly how to approach a person who is grieving , even when making a gesture such as giving a gift of sympathy.

In this video, a funeral services professional discusses guidelines to follow when giving a gift to someone who is grieving. His suggestions include giving only gifts that are homemade and reminiscent of their passed loved one and taking the griever’s age into consideration. Watch the video to learn more.

If you are having difficulties deciding what gift to give to someone who is grieving and how to present it to him or her, call the experts at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland for advice. We can be reached at (510) 654-0123.

Gifts allow you to express sympathy to someone who is coping with the loss of a loved one. However, only certain types of gifts should be given, to ensure that your message of sympathy is clear and has the desired effect. Here are three types of gifts appropriate for funeral services:

Flowers Unless the funeral etiquette of the deceased’s faith tradition dictates otherwise, flowers are an appropriate way of showing someone who has just lost a loved one that you care. Lilies are one of the most common flowers used to show sympathy, but you can also use roses, mums, gladioli, or even a growing plant.

Food Basket When a person passes, his or her family must immediately undertake a number of stressful tasks. Every family member needs time to grieve, first and foremost, but they also need to choose a type of burial service, decide how to cover costs, and handle other important tasks. Free up some of their time by sending them a food basket so that they will not have to worry about making dinner. You can fill yours with cheeses, fruit, cured meats, and other food items.

Memorial Gifts This could be as simple as sending the deceased’s family a picture of their lost loved one with a personal note, or creating a scrapbook full of memories and distributing them to friends and families. No matter how big or small, a memorial gift can help the deceased’s family cope with their grief.

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is here to help you after the loss of a loved one. Our professional funeral directors will gladly step in and help you plan a beautiful funeral service for your loved one, from the memorial to the cremation or burial. Call us at (510) 654-0123 if you would like to learn more about the services we offer.