• Personalizing Your Memorial Service

    coffin

    Today, more and more Americans are moving toward colorful, personalized ways to say goodbye to loved ones. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association found that 62 percent of those wanting a funeral service preferred some form of personalization. If you want to give your own funeral a personal touch, now is the time to start planning. While you are pre-planning your memorial service , consider these ways to personalize the funeral.

    Pay Tribute to Your Passions

    When your friends and family members attend your funeral, they will be there to honor and remember you. Part of what makes you the man or woman your friends and family love is your passions. No matter what you are passionate about, be it woodworking, sailing, or even karaoke, try to pay homage to what you loved so those closest to you can feel a greater sense of closeness to you during your memorial service.

    Share Your Favorite Foods

    On a similar note, sharing your favorite food and beverages with your memorial attendees can also add an intimate closeness to your service . Meet with a funeral planner to discuss where the food will be served, how much to order, and to arrange any special instructions on how the food should be presented and served.

    Write a Message to Your Loved Ones

    People are accustomed to writing thoughtful goodbyes to loved ones after they deceased, but why not write a farewell to your friends and family before you pass? Writing a message to your loved ones can bring a sense of closure to those who are struggling to come to grips with your death.

    If you want to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere, start the online planning process now or meet with one of the pre-planning advisors here at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We will help you plan a touching, personalized memorial service at our beautiful funeral home in Oakland, CA . To get started, contact us online or call us at (510) 654-0123. 

  • Wording a Memorial Service Invitation

    Hands and pen

    Although a memorial service is the best way to remember and celebrate the life of someone close to you, it can be difficult to plan while you are in the middle of the grieving process. Even something like writing a memorial service invitation can be an emotional struggle. To make it easier on yourself, keep the invitation simple. Perhaps include a quote from the deceased’s favorite poem, or a personal statement from the family addressing the deceased. Enter the dates of the individual’s birth and death inside the invitation. Enter the details of the memorial service so the invited know when and where the ceremony will be held. And if you desire to do so, include a short biography about the deceased.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland can help you plan a touching funeral service for yourself or a family member. We can help you plan every aspect of the funeral, including the minor details like the memorial service invitations. To learn more about our funeral planning services , please call us at (510) 654-0123. 

  • Understanding the 5 Stages of Grief

    Senior Couple Overlooking Ocean

    Losing a loved one can make you feel all alone in the world, but the truth is that the stages or mourning and grief are universal and experienced by people from all walks of life. Today, there are five recognized stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The five stages do not necessarily occur in any specific order, and some people do not experience all of the stages typically associated with grief. To help you through your grieving process, here is a look at the five stages of grief.

    Denial

    The first reaction most people experience upon learning of the death of a loved one is to deny the reality of the situation. Denial is a defense mechanism that protects us from the initial shock and pain of losing those closest to us.

    Anger

    As the reality of the situation sets in, the intense pain and suffering is redirected and often expressed instead as anger. This anger may be aimed at inanimate object, strangers, friends, family, or even our dying or deceased loved one for causing us pain.

    Bargaining

    Feelings of helplessness and vulnerability cause people to plead with God or another higher power in an attempt to postpone the inevitable or make our feelings of sadness go away. Bargaining is another line of defense that protects our emotions from the painful reality of death.

    Depression

    Sadness and regret are normal reactions to the news that a loved one is dying or has already passed on. There is also a quiet, private depression that most people deal with. This internal depression is often hidden from the rest of the world.

    Acceptance

    Reaching this stage of the grieving process can take months or even years. It takes great personal strength and resolve to accept the death of a loved one, as nobody can understand all of the emotions that you’re going through better than you.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is here to help you through this trying time. With our online grief support and 24/7 access to our online counseling services, you’re never alone. Our funeral services planners can also help you bid a fitting farewell to your loved one. Call us today at (510) 654-0123 to schedule a consultation with one of our funeral directors. 

  • Tips for Proper Behavior at a Funeral

    Flowers on a coffin

    If you have never attended a funeral before, you may feel anxious about attending your first funeral service. For starters, find out the dress code from the family of the deceased. If there is no dress code, dress conservatively and avoid bright colors. A small gift is also encouraged, whether it is in the form of flowers to the bereaved survivors or a donation to charity in the name of the deceased. Don’t be afraid to laugh, and don’t feel you have to stay during the entirety of the funeral service. If you have small children, do not allow them to become a disturbance. If you are afraid your children may cause a scene, leave them with a sitter.

    Chapel of the Chimes can help you navigate the funeral process. We can even help you pre-plan your own funeral to take the burden off of your friends and family. To learn more about our funeral services in Oakland , visit our website or call us at (510) 654-0123.