• Funeral Flower Arrangements

    Sending flowers is a touching and thoughtful tribute that you can make to honor the recently deceased. You may want to choose the favorite color or flower of the deceased when ordering a floral arrangement for a funeral service in Oakland.

    Traditional standing wreaths are beautiful options for cremation ceremonies. The wreath can even be placed over the urn to create a beautiful table centerpiece. Learn more about funeral flower arrangements in this video.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is here to help you plan a beautiful end-of-life ceremony. We provide many traditional burial and cremation options to ensure every family gets the personalized service they deserve. To learn more, visit our website or call (510) 654-0123.

  • Deciding Between Cremation and Burial

    One of the biggest decisions involved in funeral pre-planning near Oakland is making the choice between cremation and burial. This can be an even more complicated decision if you are making it on behalf of a deceased loved one. Use this guide to learn more about each option for help deciding which one is the right choice.

    Cremation

    People have been choosing cremation for centuries. This process uses high amounts of heat to rapidly decompose the body to bone fragments. There are many ceremony and memorialization options associated with cremation. When people choose cremation, they can have a traditional ceremony with a viewing for friends and family before the cremation is done. They could also opt for a ceremonial cremation with a memorial ceremony after the cremation is complete. Other people do not want a ceremony. A funeral home can also offer memorialization options and in-ground burial of the ashes. Many people opt for cremation because it is often the less expensive option and it gives family and friends the opportunity to keep or to scatter the ashes in a special location.

    Burial

    Many people choose burial because of cultural or religious beliefs. When people choose this option, they must pick out a casket and buy a plot. The deceased can be buried in a cemetery, in an above-ground entombment, in a mausoleum, or in a private family estate. These areas provide a convenient location for family and friends to visit and to pay respects to a lost loved one. Burials are often accompanied by traditional funerals, but people can choose different memorialization options.

    Whether you decide on cremation or burial, Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is here to make the planning process a little easier for you. With beautiful architecture and scenery, our peaceful location offers personalized services to each and every family in their time of loss. To learn more about our services or to start funeral pre-planning, visit our website or call (510) 654-0123.

  • A Look at Jewish Funeral Customs

    Every religion has certain customs relating to funeral services. For example, Jewish funerals have particular customs that are expected and appreciated. Respect is an incredibly important element of a Jewish funeral. Traditionally, funeral services are held as close to death as possible. There is usually no viewing in traditional services because it is considered rude to look at a person who cannot look back. Families usually opt for simple wooden caskets. The funeral service tends to last about 20 minutes. Close family members wear a black ribbon on their clothing. Mourners participate in the burial by shoveling some dirt onto the casket.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is equipped to handle funeral ceremonies for every religion and culture. We provide you with the burial and cremation services you need to make it through a difficult loss. To learn more about our burial, cremation, and memorial services, visit our website or call (510) 654-0123.

  • Sending Thank-You Notes After a Funeral

    Planning a funeral after the loss of a loved one can be complicated, but receiving support from your family and friends makes the time following your loss a little easier. Sending thank-you notes is a simple way to express your gratitude after the funeral services in Oakland . Use this guide to learn about sending thank-you notes to friends, family, and acquaintances to express your gratitude after they have paid their respects in your time of need.

    Ask for Help If You Need It

    Although there is no specific timeframe for your thank-you notes, most people try to send them within two or three weeks of the memorial service. If you are too bereaved to put together your notes, you might want to ask for help from a family member or a close friend.

    Compile a List of Recipients

    You do not have to put together a thank-you note for everyone who attended the service or sent you a card. Make a list of people who sent flowers, made donations, or helped you out in any way. Write down their addresses and a short note of what they sent or did so you can write the thank-you notes at a later time. You should also send a note to the pallbearers, the musicians, and the funeral officiate. Write their identifying information down as soon as you get it so you have what you need when you sit down to write your notes.

    Write Your Thank-You Notes

    When you write your thank-you notes, you should try to include some personal detail or information about how each individual helped you. Personalizing the cards shows your friends and family members how much you appreciate their help and thoughtfulness.

    For more than 100 years, Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland has provided beautiful grounds and ceremonies for burials and cremations. Our staff is here to help you through the funeral planning process to make sure your loved one gets the ceremony he or she deserves. To learn more about our services, visit us online or call (510) 654-0123.