• A Roadmap to Dealing with the Loss of a Sibling

    Couple at a Funeral

    While the relationship one has with a sibling varies from person to person and family to family, the majority of sibling relationships are incredibly special and unique. No matter your sibling’s age at the time of his or her passing and funeral and the number of years you’ve shared together, you are likely to feel that a piece of your childhood and perhaps even the person you are today is missing with your sibling gone. Everyone grieves differently, but these tips should help you.

    Processing Your Loss

    When growing up, thoughts of having to say goodbye to a brother or sister someday rarely cross one’s mind. As we age, this may change; but that does not necessarily make the reality of a sibling’s death any easier to face. Coming to terms with the loss of a brother or sister is a process, and accepting it may take a long time. Remember this as you cope with strong emotions that may feel foreign to you, reminding yourself that your grieving process is your own and that what you are experiencing and feeling is natural.

    Dealing with Your Sibling’s Family

    If your sibling built a family of his or her own, this will be a tough time for them as well. You will likely have many interactions with them in the wake of your sibling’s passing, interactions that may or may not help you cope. During this difficult time, try to respect your sibling’s family and their feelings, as well as your own.

    Finding the Support You Need

    Coping with the loss of your sibling may not be something you can do entirely on your own. Embrace the support of family and friends , and seek out grief support services and professional guidance if the support of your loved ones is not enough for you during your time of need.

    At Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, we seek to help all those who use our services find the support they need when grieving their loved ones. We understand the gravity of your situation and the importance of finding comfort in the wake of your loss. To speak with a compassionate and dedicated funeral services provider about our grief support services, call (510) 654-0123.

  • How to Support a Friend After the Loss of a Parent

    Losing a parent can be devastating. If you have a friend who recently lost a parent and you want to be there during this difficult time, the advice offered in this video clip can help.

    From preparing meals and offering to babysit to offering practical assistance with funeral arrangements, there are a number of ways in which you can demonstrate your support. The most important way in which you can help your friend is to let him or her know that you are here and that you always will be, listening intently any time your friend opens up about his or her feelings and what he or she is going through.

    While many aspects of funeral planning are personal and will need to be handled by your friend, you can offer to research funeral and cremation service providers to spare your friend time and energy during this time of need. To speak with a compassionate and experienced funeral home representative at  Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , call (510) 654-0123

  • A Guide to Coping with Bereavement

    Depression.

    The days and weeks following the death of a loved one tend to be the most difficult of one’s life. While the grieving process is unique and each person deals with loss in his or her own way, there are a handful of strategies that have proven effective in helping most people cope with a loved one’s passing. As you make arrangements for your loved one’s funeral and cremation services and begin to process the reality of your loss, keep the following advice in mind.

    Allow Yourself to Feel

    The bereavement period is almost always accompanied by strong and varied emotions. As you experience feelings that were previously foreign to you in the days and weeks following your loved one’s death, remember that everyone grieves differently and that the bereavement period has no set time limit. Embracing your feelings may actually help you to move forward, but you should not hesitate to seek help if you become concerned about the thoughts and feelings you have during your period of mourning.

    Take Care of Yourself

    When you are grieving the loss of one of your closest companions, it can be easy to forget to prioritize your health. Good physical health, however, is important to have during the coping process. Make an effort to ensure that you drink plenty of water, eat enough food, and get plenty of rest during the bereavement process.

    Seek Help When You Need It

    The family members and friends who have offered assistance since your loved one departed this world are really more than happy to help you. Know that your friends and family are there for you, and seek professional help if you feel that you need it.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we understand that there is no way for one to be truly prepared for bereavement. To help those who use our cremation and funeral services get started on the path toward acceptance of loss, we offer online grief support and counseling services in addition to more conventional resources for helping mourning individuals to cope. To speak with a funeral home representative about our cremation, funeral, and grief support services , call (510) 654-0123.

  • What’s the Difference Between a Eulogy and an Obituary?

    Rose on the tombstone

    Because both eulogies and obituaries are written for loved ones following their passing, the distinction between the two is understandably not clear to many. There are, however, a number of noteworthy differences between the two.

    An obituary is essentially a mini-biography that is written for a newspaper or other publication to announce a person’s death and inform a community of any public funeral or memorial services that will be held in that person’s honor. Obituaries are generally no longer than a paragraph or two.

    A eulogy, on the other hand, is a written speech that is delivered at a funeral service. Eulogies are typically lengthier and more personal than obituaries, as they are intended to share memories of a loved one that other family members and friends at the service are able to relate to.

    In addition to writing an obituary and eulogy for a loved one who has just passed away, you will have to make funeral arrangements in the days following the death. To work with a caring, dedicated, and experienced funeral services provider in the East Bay , call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Coping with the Loss of a Spouse

    Long-lasting partnerships are one of life’s most beautiful treasures. However, when the time comes to lay your soul mate and closest friend to rest, the beauty you experienced together can make acceptance of your spouse’s passing especially difficult.

    For an idea of what you may expect to experience following your spouse’s death and strategies for coping, watch this educational video clip. After acknowledging that the death of a husband or wife can be excruciatingly painful, Dr. Maurice Turmel offers some helpful advice for coming to terms with your loss and incorporating your loved one’s memory into your everyday life.

    Many widows and widowers find it comforting to talk to others who are coping with the death of a spouse. By participating in a funeral home support group or looking for grief support groups in your area, you can determine whether or not support groups are a source of comfort for you. To speak with a funeral services provider at one of the East Bay’s most inclusive and organized funeral homes, call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123.