• Examining Your Cremation Options

    happy spring bouquet

    The reasons for cremation are numerous. Some individuals prefer it for conservation or economical considerations. Others do it as a matter of family tradition. Chapel of the Chimes makes it a priority to honor the wishes of all those who employ our funeral services, which is why we provide the following cremation options that can cater to your wishes.

    Non-Ceremonial Cremation Many people prefer cremation for its simplicity. If you would prefer not to have a ceremonial service after your passing, you can request cremation without a ceremony. Our funeral home will adhere to your wishes and bestow your ashes to the individual or location that you designate ahead of time.

    Cremation Prior to a Ceremonial Service Some people wish to have a ceremonial service where their friends and family can come together to celebrate their life after passing. However, they may not wish for their loved ones to experience an open casket service. For this reason, we offer cremation prior to funeral services. After cremation, your ashes will be held at the site of your ceremonial service. Once the ceremony is over, your loved ones take possession of the ashes. They may then choose to honor your life through the scattering of your ashes, internment in a specially selected memorialization location, or burial.

    Cremation After a Ceremonial Service You may wish to give your friends and family the chance to celebrate your life with a traditional casket viewing, then undergo cremation once the ceremony is over. Our funeral home can accommodate your needs by providing a temporary casket for visitation and cremation services. As with cremation prior to a ceremonial service, your ashes will be placed in the possession of a designated loved one.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland can provide you and your loved ones with funeral services that beautifully honor your life and final wishes. To learn more about our many cremation and burial options, call (510) 654-0123 or visit our website .

  • Jazz at the Chimes: Brazilian Vocalist Claudia Villela

    Villela flyer

  • CHORUS WITHOUT BORDERS

    4-16-2013 7-27-41 AM

    THE ROCKRIDGE CHORALE WILL PRESENT TWO CONCERTS Featuring Internationally Renowned Baritone

    Nikolas Nackley

    ALLA CORDA QUARTET

    Debra Golata – Piano

    Daniel Olson and Rachel Itoua

    Devi de Sam Lazaro-Jameson – Director

    SATURDAY MAY 11, 2013

    2:00 P.M.

    CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA

    40 Santa Maria Way ORINDA

    SUNDAY MAY 12, 2013

    2:00 P.M.

    CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES

    4499 Piedmont Avenue Oakland

    In honor of Mother’s Day Weekend

    TO RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUNG GIRLS IN KENYA

    Reception to Follow

    Tickets $15

    For information and tickets go to  www.rockridgechorale.org  or Call 510-910-3059.

     

    Founded in 2003, the Rockridge Chorale, a volunteer choral group has performed public concerts in the USA, England and India raising funds for Haiti, Darfur, individuals with disabilities and other worthy causes. They bring the “Joy of Choral Music” regularly to retirement homes in the Bay Area and hold an annual fund raising concert.

    Mr. Nackley’s career has spanned the American, European, and Asian continents. He has been featured in such venues as Boston’s Symphony Hall, L.A.’s Disney Concert Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Davies Symphony Hall.  He has worked as a principle artist with orchestras and opera companies including the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, The Carmel Bach Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston, Festival Opera, Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. Nikolas performed two concerts with the Rockridge Chorale early 2012 in Bangalore India. Nikolas recently made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut, Upcoming engagements include Bach’s Magnificat with the Oakland E.B. Symphony at the Par- amount Theater, Beethoven’s 9th at Hertz Hall in Berkeley, Haydn’s The Seasons with the San Francisco Choral Society, and a recital series in Stuttgart and Frankfurt Germany.

    In Kenya the “girl child” frequently faces discrimination.. Her low status is reflected in the denial of fundamental needs and rights and in such harmful attitudes and practices as a preference for sons.  Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School in Bungoma Kenya has need for residential facilities such   as dormitories, bunk beds, desks, chairs and the like to allow girls to have a safe place to stay while pursuing their education. The absence of residential facilities results in young girls dropping out of school, early marriage, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, discrimination, less food and less access to education. The proceeds of this concert will help to support this critical need.

  • Learn More About Your Cremation Options By Reading Through These Informative Links

    Single Lavender Columbine

    If you found our recent blog posts engaging, please explore the information provided below. These links contain useful information about funeral planning that could help you arrange a beautiful service and make your family’s life easier.

    Call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123 to learn more about our services.

  • Our thoughts are with the victims and families affected by the Boston Marathon atrocity

    Our thoughts are with the victims and families affected by the Boston Marathon atrocity on April 15, 2013. Words fall short of expressing our sorrow to those who lost their lives and those who were injured.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is hosting a book of condolences for the public to write messages to the victims and their families. We hope this small gesture will bring together our own community to offer encouragement and strength to all who have been affected. The book will be available to the public from April 16 – May 1 from 10am – 5pm daily and will be shared with the families and victims.

  • Evening of Remembrance: Memorial Services 2013

    4-15-2013 3-03-52 PM

  • Tips for Choosing the Right Flower Arrangement for a Loved One’s Funeral

    Magnolia

    A loved one’s passing is an occasion for friends and relatives to reminisce, mourn, and celebrate the deceased’s life. Traditionally, flowers have been prominently displayed during funeral services. When tastefully arranged, flowers can help you make your loved one’s memorial service a beautiful occasion. Here are some tips for choosing the right flower arrangement for a funeral.

    Consider Arrangement Style When you begin incorporating flowers into your loved one’s service, there are a number of different arrangements to choose from. For example, you can place flowers in baskets or place them in the casket itself. You can also set up standing sprays, have a vase arrangement, display wreaths, or use silk flowers. The kind of arrangement you eventually select depends on a number of factors. For example, flower arrangements can be chosen based on the design and layout of the room.

    Personalize Your Flower Selection Flower arrangement is also a great opportunity to add a personal touch to the funeral proceedings. In addition to providing a space for you to mourn the loss a loved one, a funeral is also a chance for you to celebrate the deceased’s life with your family and friends. Often families choose to do this by incorporating elements of the deceased’s life into the funeral ceremony. For example, a family may include photos of their loved one’s most cherished moments or encourage friends and family members to share stories about the deceased. Similarly, selecting flowers that your loved one had a particular liking for can help create an intimate atmosphere.

    Planning a funeral is by no means an easy task. If you are unsure of how to incorporate flowers into a funeral ceremony, contact a funeral planning professional to ask for help. To learn more about our services, call the Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Why Veterans Should Plan Their Funeral or Cremation Ahead of Time

    Military funeral

    Planning ahead for your end-of-lifetime memorial activities can help ensure that your family is prepared for any contingency. Here are some reasons why veterans should plan their funeral or cremation ahead of time.

    Peace of Mind Whether embarking on a military operation or starting a new job as a civilian, every veteran knows that a virtually limitless number of variables can interfere with meticulously crafted plans. Planning ahead allows you keep the event running smoothly and to minimize potential problems. When it comes to planning your funeral in advance, you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your family will not be burdened with any undue stress.

    Savings Funerals are often quite expensive. This is a particularly serious concern if you are the sole breadwinner for your family. When you fail to plan your funeral in advance your family members may end up spending much more than necessary in an attempt to fulfill what they imagine your funeral wishes might have been. Planning ahead makes your wishes clear and ensures that your family will spend no more than you want them to on your funeral arrangements.

    A Chance to Personalize Although a funeral is an opportunity for your family and friends to celebrate your life, it can often be difficult for them to select your most treasured moments and memories. When you plan ahead, you can ensure that your funeral ceremony will highlight the people, places, and events that mean the most to you. This in turn will help your family and friends celebrate your life and cherish your memory.

    The value of properly planning funeral or cremation arrangements cannot be overstated. If you want to learn more about why veterans should begin to make these important plans ahead of time, call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123.