• Death Cafe Oakland – August 25, 2015

    Join us Tuesday, August 25th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Death Cafe Oakland. This free event includes light refreshments and an enlightening discussion about death. Learn more and reserve your spot here .

  • Death Cafe Oakland Men’s Group – August 11, 2015

    Join us on Tuesday, August 11th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a special Death Cafe Oakland men’s group. Registration is free and limited to 15 people. Learn more and register here .

  • Arranging a Cremation

    If you or a loved one is interested in planning ahead for a cremation service, many funeral homes and crematoriums offer funeral pre-planning services. In addition to the cremation, you may want to consider planning a cremation ceremony or memorial service, as there will most likely be no burial at a cemetery. Watch this video to learn more about arranging for cremation.

    For more information on cremation services , get in touch with Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We provide funeral and cremation services, grief counseling and grief support services, and funeral pre-planning to the community. Visit our website or call (510) 992-6984 to begin planning a cremation service.

  • Choosing Cremation Jewelry

    If your loved one has chosen cremation , you may be looking for a way to memorialize him or her. Cremation jewelry is a beautiful way to honor the memory of a loved one, and allows you to keep a part of the person with you forever. Here is some advice on how to choose a piece of cremation jewelry that is appropriate for you and the deceased.

    Cremation Jewelry - Chapel of the Chimes Oakland

    Take Your Time

    There’s no rush in picking out a piece of cremation jewelry, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to find the perfect piece right away. Until you find a piece of cremation jewelry that moves you and seems like a fitting tribute and memorial to your loved one, the ashes can be kept in a cremation urn or other vessel. Take some time to look at various pieces of jewelry online and in person, and choose one that you love and that will truly honor the deceased’s memory.

    Consider a Custom Piece

    Cremation jewelry can be customized to further memorialize your loved one. Choosing a piece of jewelry that can be engraved or otherwise customized can help you feel like it’s more connected to the person that you lost. Cremation jewelry can also have more than one chamber inside, meaning that you can find one that holds not just ashes, but other small keepsakes or mementos.

    Choose a Reputable Business

    Before placing an order for a piece of cremation jewelry, investigate the business that is selling it. For something this important, you do not want to pay money to a disreputable company whose products are subpar. Read online reviews to find out if their customers are satisfied, or ask your funeral home or crematory for a recommendation.

    If you or your loved one is interested in planning ahead for funeral services or cremation services , contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We have been providing comfort and support to the community since 1909. Call us today at (510) 992-6984 for more information on how we can help you and your family in your time of need.

  • Death Cafe at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland – July 28, 2015

    Join us Tuesday, July 28th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Death Cafe Oakland. Death Cafes are a place for people to gather and talk about death in a way that helps them live life to the fullest. Light refreshments will be provided. There are 15 openings for this free event, so register now .

  • Death Cafe at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland – July 14, 2015

    Join us Tuesday, July 14th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Death Cafe Oakland – a gathering where people enjoy light refreshments and talking about death. Death Cafes are held worldwide to encourage people to live their lives to the fullest. Registration is free but limited to 15 attendees, so reserve your spot here .

  • Mimi Fox at Jazz at the Chimes – July 19, 2015

    Join us Sunday, July 19th, at 2 p.m. for Jazz at the Chimes featuring acclaimed guitarist Mimi Fox. This show will include a range of music from The Beatles to Michael Jackson and more. Read more about this exciting performance in this article from the Contra Costa Times .

    For more information, call (510) 654-0123 or email chimesjazz@gmail.com.

    Jazz at the Chimes - Mimi Fox

  • What to Write in a Funeral Thank You Card

    The support of your friends and family in your time of grief should be acknowledged and thanked, but you may feel overwhelmed and unable to begin writing thank you cards after a funeral. If you’re having trouble beginning the task, it may help to have a few simple statements on hand to use as a starting point.

    Those who have offered their sympathy to you will appreciate expressions of thanks that are both personal and sincere. Use sentences like, “thank you for your sympathy and kindness,” “we deeply appreciate your expression of sympathy,” “thank you for your support at this difficult time,” and “thank you for your prayers and thoughts.” Include a personal detail specific to the type of help that person offered, such as acknowledging that he or she sent flowers, brought food to your house, or made a donation in the deceased’s honor.

    If you’re mourning the death of a loved one, Chapel of the Chimes’ grief support services in Oakland can help. We offer grief counseling and support services to the community every day of the year either online, over the phone, or in person. Call us at (510) 992-6984 for more information.