• Exploring Myths Associated with Grief and Loss

    The process of grieving a loved one is often difficult to comprehend for those who have never experienced the same loss. As such, there are many misconceptions surrounding the grieving process.

    Grief is natural part of the mourning process, and while it is often intensely painful, it is not necessarily a negative emotion. Rather than an obstacle, grief is merely something that needs to be experienced—it’s not necessary to “deal with” or “get over” grief so much as it is to work through it and grow from it.

    Although grief is often broken down into stages (i.e. denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), not everyone expresses grief or deals with it in the same way; some may rely on the support of those around them, while others may take up a new hobby and stay solitary. Recovery varies depending on the individual, so it is important not to impose your time constraints on the victims or to criticize their grieving process.

    Roses Laid in Cemetery with Bokeh Female

    Here at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , we understand the importance of providing dignified and personalized end-of-life services, which is why we’ve been doing it for more than 100 years. Learn more about our services in Oakland online and call (510) 654-0123 for more information.

  • Comforting a Loved One Who Has Experienced Loss

    The loss of a loved one has a profound impact on others, and it’s often difficult for close friends and family members to know how to respond. Everyone’s emotional needs vary, but as this video explains, it is important to provide a network of support in the aftermath of the loss.

    Mourning the loss of a loved one is a gradual process, so it’s important to keep in mind that the objective in comforting a friend or family member is not to resolve the problem, but to work through it. Although it often seems inadequate, simply maintaining a presence can provide an unspoken source of comfort.

    Here at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we pride ourselves on providing personalized end-of-life services in Oakland . We’ve maintained our tranquil landscape and historic buildings for over 100 years. Call (510) 654-0123 today with any questions or comments.

  • An Overview of Cemetery Creation

    More families across the country are choosing cremation instead of conventional burial when memorializing the remains of their loved ones. During cremation, a person’s remains are burned at very high temperatures. At the end of the process, all that remains is calcified bone, which is then turned into ash. The ash from a cremation can then be incorporated into a wide variety of memorials to help you and your family remember and celebrate your loved one’s life. Here is a brief overview of your cemetery cremation options:

    National Cemetery

    Glass Front Niche

    Glass front niches are elegant displays placed in air-conditioned environments, and can provide survivors with a tasteful place to honor their loved ones. Since the glass front niches at Chapel of the Chimes allow for up to 12 internments, you can place the remains of the deceased alongside the ashes of any other family members who have passed.

    Granite or Marble Face Niche

    Granite and marble face niches provide an elegant memorial for your loved one’s cremated remains. With locations both inside the chapel and outside it, Chapel of the Chimes’ granite and marble face niches can hold one or two urns in one place.

    Cremorial

    If you opt for cremation, your loved one’s ashes can be buried and incorporated into a garden. A garden can be constructed with or without fountains, depending on your or your loved one’s preference.

    Cremation Bench Estate

    A cremation bench estate can provide a beautiful resting place for your loved one’s remains while also giving you and your loved ones a place to sit and reflect. It’s an elegant and practical way to honor a deceased loved one.

    The options listed above are just a sample of the options available for families interested in cemetery cremation. If you want to learn more about your cemetery cremation options, call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123. When it comes to memorializing your loved one, we will do everything in our ability to make your vision a reality.

  • Reasons to Plan Your Funeral in Advance

    As the subject of pre-planning funerals has become more mainstream, consumers have discovered that making their own funeral preparations offers a lot of benefits. Some of the advantages associated with advanced funeral planning are likely to give you peace of mind as the time of your own passing draws near. Here are a few of the most compelling reasons to make pre-need funeral arrangements with an experienced funeral and cremation services provider :

    Rest In Peace

    Spare Your Loved Ones Hardship

    Perhaps the most persuasive reason to plan your funeral in advance is to spare your loved one’s the stress and uncertainty that comes with planning a funeral and making other major decisions. If you plan ahead, your loved ones will have time to grieve in their own fashion rather than worry about whether their funeral planning decisions are the ones you would have wanted.

    Take Ample Time to Plan

    Another advantage of making funeral arrangements in advance is that you have the time to conduct thorough research. You can look into all of your funeral, cremation, and memorialization options and make smart choices without feeling pressed for time. You can even involve your family in the pre-planning process by asking for their input and expressing your thoughts and feelings about the whole process.

    Reduce or Eliminate the Financial Burden

    Pre-planned funerals almost always cost less than funerals that are planned after an individual’s passing. This is because pre-planners have the opportunity to lock in lower rates, the flexibility to more thoroughly research their options; and the presence of mind to avoid emotional over-spending. Also, pre-paying for part or all of a funeral service can reduce the financial burden on survivors. 

    Pre-planning your funeral is almost certain to provide the aforementioned benefits—especially if you work with an attentive funeral services provider who has your best interests in mind. Spare your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions in the wake of your passing and save money by working with an experienced funeral home representative from Chapel of the Chimes Oakland . To learn more about our funeral pre-planning services, call (510) 654-0123.

  • Finding a Resting Place for a Memorial Urn

    If your loved one’s remains are cremated rather than buried, you can choose between several memorialization options. At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we can bury the cremated remains on a marked cemetery plot as we would a coffin. You can also have the ashes stored in a picture frame or piece of jewelry. You might consider scattering the ashes over a body of water or countryside that held special importance to your loved one. The remains can even be separated and stored in multiple urns or memorial keepsakes so several family members can keep the deceased close at all times.

    Garden Urn

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we understand that different families have different wishes for the memorialization of their loved ones. In an effort to accommodate all of these wishes, we offer a full range of cremation and funeral services . To speak with a member of our compassionate and dedicated staff about the diverse services we offer, call (510) 654-0123.