• A Look at the Obituary Writing Process

    Writing an obituary can be emotional, but it is also a wonderful way to pay tribute to a loved one. If you’re struggling to find the right words for the obituary you’re writing, this video will help. 

    In this video, you’ll learn techniques to make writing an obituary easier. Start by finding out the formatting requirements for your local paper, so you can stick the proper word count. Gather information about your loved one before you start writing, but be careful not to provide any details that could be used for identity theft.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we’re here to help you with the obituary writing process as well as all of the details of your loved one’s funeral services. Please call our funeral home at (510) 654-0123 when you need help laying a loved one to rest in Oakland. 

  • What Is the Role of a Funeral Director?

    Mourning People at Funeral with coffin

    When you’re planning the funeral of a loved one, you will work very closely with a funeral director. Funeral directors can be a tremendous source of support in the wake of your loss, but many people don’t understand just how much help a funeral director can actually deliver. Here is a look at some of the work a funeral director can help you accomplish.

    A funeral director is there to facilitate all of the things that need to happen following your loss. On your behalf, he or she can arrange for your loved one to be transported to the funeral home and complete all necessary paperwork. He or she will also help you plan all aspects of your funeral or cremation service and the final disposition. Perhaps most importantly, a funeral director can help your family cope with your loss. He or she can recommend grief support groups and other services that can be useful in the weeks and months to come.

    Your funeral director at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is dedicated to giving your family the best assistance possible during your difficult time. Find out how we can help you by calling (510) 654-0123 or visiting our funeral home in Oakland, CA.  

  • Spotlight on Jazz at the Chimes: Artist Jamie Davis

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    Music is a window to the soul, capable of enhancing our moods in the best of times and boosting our spirits or at least providing a source of solace in the wake of tragedy. Since jazz is considered to be one of the most therapeutic genres of music, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland sponsors a concert series called “Jazz at the Chimes” for Bay Area residents who like to use music as a way to remember their loved ones.

    Featuring local Bay Area talent, “ Jazz at the Chimes ” is held once every two months at the beautiful Chimes Chapel in Oakland. The first performance of 2014, scheduled for January 19th at 2:00 PM, features the sensational vocalist Jamie Davis. This compelling jazz singer has performed in more than a dozen countries, touching the souls of audience members with his powerful baritone voice.

    Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door on the day of the event, starting at 12:30 PM. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens. To learn more about “Jazz at the Chimes” or speak with a Chapel of the Chimes Oakland funeral services provider about our funeral and cremation services, call (510) 654-0123.

  • Choosing the Right Flowers for a Funeral

    Funeral Urn with Flowers

    When planning a funeral or memorial service, there are several ways in which you can personalize details to make the service special. If you are planning a loved one’s funeral or making advance arrangements for your own service, the following advice can help you choose appropriate, beautiful, and memorable funeral flower displays .

    Select an Arrangement

    Florists who specialize in funeral services can arrange flowers in just about any design you could imagine. Asking about commonly used floral arrangements can serve as a good starting point, but ultimately you will want to choose an arrangement that reflects the deceased’s personality . If your loved one was a traditionalist and lived to an old age, wreaths and casket sprays may be fitting for the funeral. If the deceased’s life was cut short before adulthood, a floral arrangement in the shape of a teddy bear may be more appropriate.

    Choose a Flower Type

    Carnations, lilies, and roses are some of the most widely used memorialization flowers, but they are not your only options. If your loved one was outspoken about his or her favorite type of flower, try to incorporate it into at least one or two of the floral arrangements you select.

    Decide on a Color

    Your loved one’s personality and/or expressed wishes should also be at the heart of this decision. Favorite colors, colors of favorite sports teams, and colors that were most widely represented in your loved one’s wardrobe may all be considered. If you are having trouble deciding on a color or color scheme for your loved one’s funeral flowers, white is generally a good option.

    Making Special Considerations

    Before you finalize a funeral flower order, it is important to ensure that religious customs and familial norms are considered. In some religious and cultural practices, for example, certain colors are considered inappropriate or ominous and should not be used at funeral services for individuals who identified with those practices.

    At Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, we cater to a diverse group of individuals and are familiar with a wide range of funeral practices. To learn about the floral arrangements available from our sympathy store or to speak with a full-service funeral planning professional about any aspect of planning or pre-planning a funeral , call (510) 654-0123.