• Planning Ahead for a Funeral

    Though planning a funeral is usually not a pleasant undertaking, it can alleviate much of the stress that comes with making funeral arrangements after the loved one has passed. When planning ahead for a funeral, you will need to know how your loved one wants to be buried. Does he or she want to be cremated or laid into a casket? If your loved one wants to be laid into a casket, then you will need to estimate the casket size. Watch this video clip for more tips on how to plan ahead for a funeral.

    To learn more about funeral pre-planning, contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123. Visit our website to learn more about the funeral services and cremation services we offer, or call us today to speak with one of our funeral planning experts.

  • Providing Emotional Support to a Grieving Friend

    Depression.

    Emotional support is not easy to provide to a grieving friend. If your friend is dealing with a recent loss, let Chapel of the Chimes help. In addition to offering funeral services in Oakland , we have extensive grief support services and tips on our website to help ease the pain of losing a loved one. Here are a few tips that will help you provide the emotional support your friend needs during this difficult time.  

    Your Role is the Supporter

    Remember that grief belongs to your friend; your role is to provide emotional support and respect for his or her unique process of grieving. The reason this is worth mentioning is because many people who are grieving are told they need to grieve, feel, or behave differently than they do. Grief is highly personal, so even if you would do things differently, follow their lead rather than trying to change their course.

    Stay Present

    It’s easy to talk about the past and future when the present is so unpleasant. But what your friend needs right now is someone who can stay present with them, even with the pain. Avoid saying how good his life once was or that the future will be better. And do not make generalized statements about the situation in an effort to soothe your friend or take his pain away, because these are rarely helpful. Just stick with the present—your friend is in pain, and you are there for him or her in this difficult time.

    Take Care of Yourself

    Providing emotional support is not easy. Your friend might not be in a place to make you feel appreciated, and your feelings may be hurt in the process. Try not to take it personally and avoid taking out your frustrations on your friend. Find other friends to lean on during this difficult time.

    To learn more about the ways you can help your friend through his or her grieving process, contact Chapel of the Chimes, a leading funeral home in Oakland . In addition to providing funeral and cremation services, we provide 24/7 grief support. For more information, give us a call at (510) 654-0123 or visit our website.

  • Free Grief Workshop at Sutter Care at Home

    OaklandOpening

    Join us this Thursday from 5:30-8:00pm for a free grief workshop at Sutter Care at Home. There will be a helpful discussion about grief and a community film screening. 

  • Choosing a Cremation Urn

    Funeral Urn with Rose

    If your loved one wished to be cremated after death, you will need to choose a cremation urn to hold his or her ashes. Choosing the best urn for your loved one is a deeply personal decision. If money is no option, choose the urn that captures your heart and speaks to the life and experiences of the deceased. You may also want to look for an urn that incorporates some of your loved one’s passions or interests. Even selecting an urn in a shade or hue that your spouse or family member loved can help you think of your loved one every time you look at the urn.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we perform our own cremation services onsite. This allows us to monitor all aspects of the cremation process to insure that everything has been handled properly and that you or your loved one is taken care respectfully. Our funeral planners can also help you select an urn for yourself or a loved one. To learn more about our cremation services in Oakland, visit our website or call us at (510) 654-0123.